Cotter, AR. – A volunteer firefighter in Cotter, AR., has been arrested following evidence and a confession of guilt.
William Hartwell Cooke, a 19-year-old from Cotter, was working his position as a volunteer firefighter when he stole multiple guns and over $500 in cash from a home while extinguishing a blaze in Gassville.
According to court documents, the theft happened during a call in which multiple fire departments worked in concert to fight a fire on June 24th. When the owners of the home began to take account of the aftermath, they discovered the items were missing.
Cooke was caught on surveillance video, after law enforcement received a call from a local gun shop owner who stated someone was attempting to sell stolen firearms.
Cooke is facing two felony counts of firearm theft, two more felony counts of theft for attempting to sell stolen firearms, and two misdemeanor charges for the cash.
