The St. Francis County Sheriff’s Office announced on Apr. 23 the arrest of a second individual, Philandus Watson, age 31 of Colt, in connection with a home burglary that occurred in December. Watson was taken into custody after an off-duty investigator spotted him riding a bicycle on Highway-1 south of the Colt Exxon and notified deputies, who made the arrest without incident.
Authorities say Watson faces charges including Residential Burglary and Theft of Property (Firearm), both classified as Class B felonies, as well as Criminal Mischief, a Class A misdemeanor. Investigators allege that Watson and another suspect broke into a residence and stole several firearms from a gun safe during the incident.
Watson is currently being held without bond while awaiting his bond hearing. Delfino Mora, identified as another participant in the burglary, has also been arrested; his bond was set at $100,000. Investigators continue to search for a third individual believed to have orchestrated the break-in and theft.
The St. Francis County Sheriff’s Office serves as the main law enforcement agency for St. Francis County in East Central Arkansas and operates patrols, investigations, detention services—including running a modern Detention Center capable of holding up to 144 inmates—and civil operations across its 610-square-mile jurisdiction according to its official website. The office also partners with organizations such as the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association and Arkansas State Police according to its official website.
In addition to law enforcement duties like criminal investigations and patrols according to its official website, the sheriff’s office supports community enrichment through crime prevention programs for youth and runs initiatives such as work release programs allowing eligible inmates to assist with roadway maintenance according to its official website.
