A man from Ozark County has been arrested for allegedly stealing a vehicle then setting it on fire in Arkansas.
Forty-three-year-old Clarence “Clay” Blain Mason of Bakersfield is facing felony charges in both Baxter and Fulton counties.
According to probable cause statements in the case, an anonymous person told investigators Mason told her he had stolen the car from a residence in the Viola area because he was cold. He told her the keys were in the vehicle, so he took it. He then took the car to the Gamaliel area where he left it and then threw the keys off a bridge. He told the person he cleaned the fingerprints but burned the car to get rid of any evidence.
Two other witnesses were able to place Mason in the area where the car was taken.
Mason is charged in Fulton County with a felony count of theft of property. In Baxter County, he is charged with felony counts of arson and theft by receiving. He is also being charged as a habitual offender due to the fact he has at least four previous felony convictions.
He is currently free on $20,000 bond.
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