Three charged with stealing bleachers from Ozark school

Christian County deputies say three people stole more than $50,000 worth of aluminum bleachers this summer from an Ozark School District soccer field.

Investigators say they discovered pieces of the bleachers had been sold to various recycling centers, which are legally required to document who brings in scrap metal for sale.

Last week, prosecutors filed felony theft charges against Jimmy Waters, 28, of Sparta; Miriam Howard, 22, of Ozark; and Randy Merrill, 28, of Ozark.

According to probable cause statements, Ozark school officials reported in August that the bleachers were stolen from a soccer practice field where they were being stored.

The bleachers were valued at $51,178, according to the statement.

Investigators began checking with Springfield recycling centers and found six occasions in which Waters sold pieces of bleachers, four times in which Howard sold pieces and one time in which Merrill sold pieces. Records show the three received more than $1,600 combined for the sales, but pieces of the bleachers had yet to be sold.

Deputies found additional bleachers at an Ozark home in which the residents said their friend, Waters, had asked to store the bleachers and use their saw. The residents said they had "no idea the aluminum was stolen," according to the statement.

Deputies made contact with Howard and received permission to search her car, in which they found metal clamps, bolts and other pieces believed to be from the bleachers, according to the statement.

Howard denied selling scrap metal and asked to speak with an attorney, the statement says.

Several days later, deputies spoke with Merrill, who said he had rented a truck to help Waters and Howard transport the bleachers.

"Merrill said Waters had taken the bleachers apart and removed them from the school property," the statement says. "Merrill told me Waters told him the bleachers were given to him as scrap.

"Merrill did admit he thought it was odd the school would give Waters the aluminum."

All three are charged with the class B felony of theft of more than $25,000. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Online court records show Waters and Howard have been arrested and held on $25,000 bonds. A warrant was issued for Merrill's arrest on Monday.