Back on March 15th, 2025 a male subject was caught on camera breaking into the rural school in Ballard. The subject stole approximately $2000 in cash and computer components valued at approximately $2100. Curtis Barton traveled across Missouri and Iowa targeting rural schools to burglarize.
Dedication
and determination on behalf of the Bates County Detectives connected the crimes
to a potential suspect after news reports were shared on Social Media. Bates County Detectives were contacted by
Detectives in Iowa about the same male in the same clothing also being caught
on Video Burglarizing a School in their location.
A multiple
state investigation began and working with outside agencies a connection to
Bates County was made. Eventually a
search warrant was obtained by Arkansas Investigators for Barton's Residence.
The Case
showed that Barton extensively researched his targets and law enforcement in
the areas in advance. While many
agencies participated in the investigation the Wapello Count (Iowa) Sheriff's
Office and the FBI lead the investigation.
