By Ray King
Two U-Hauls valued at $15,000 each that had been reported stolen in separate incidents were recovered by White Hall Police. A male and female who were driving the vehicles were arrested following traffic stops on Sheridan Road.
Justinna Curlee, 39, of White Hall, and Robert Lee Manes, 26, of Little Rock were identified as the drivers of the two vehicles and each appeared in district court Friday.
In the case of Curlee, White Hall Police Investigator Clayton Cantrell reported that White Hall Police had received a BOLO (Be On The Lookout) for several-Hauls that had been reported stolen in Pine Bluff. Officer Charles Treadway noticed a U-Haul traveling West on Sheridan Road.
Deputy Prosecutor Beth Carson told the court what happened next.
After Curlee was arrested, a search of the truck was conducted, and officers found a black box between the driver and passenger seats that contained two zip-lock bags with suspected methamphetamine weighing a total of 6.6 grams. The box also contained a glass pipe with white residue in it, a set of scales, and several other zip-lock bags.
Carson said Curlee had prior convictions in Baxter County. Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set a $15,000 bond for her after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge her with theft by receiving, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In the case of Manes, Cantrell reported that Officer Treadway was eastbound on Sheridan Road when he saw a U-Haul with a loud exhaust that may have been missing a muffler or catalytic converter. Treadway conducted a traffic stop and Carson told the court what Manes said.
Judge Kearney set a $5,000 bond for Manes after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge him with theft by receiving.
