The arrest of an 18-year-old Fort Smith man over the weekend has lead to seven charges of commercial burglary after a series of break-ins on the city’s east side, including a number of churches and one junior high school.
Jacob Favela was developed as a suspect through evidence recovered and processed from the August 1, 2017, burglary of New Life Church located at 9000 Dallas Street.
Investigators spoke to Favela at his home in the 8900 block of Fresno Street and obtained consent to search. Investigators recovered stolen property from Mr. Favela’s room, reported stolen during the burglaries.
The burglaries were committed at New Life Church, Community Bible Church, Eastside Baptist and Faith United Methodist as well as Chaffin Junior High.
Police officials said Favela was oblivious to the security cameras he encountered, even waving at the cameras in one instance.
During the burglaries, the suspect wore unique tactical equipment and appeared to be wearing a repelling harness in some of the security photos.
Items taken inn the burglaries were electronic equipment such as I-Pads, laptops, computer towers and monitors.
At the conclusion of interviews, Favela was charged with six (6) counts of Commercial Burglary.
He is currently being held at the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond.
