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Two in custody after apparent theft; officer attacked during arrest

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UPDATE Jan. 25, 2019, 9:50 a.m.:  Two men accused in the Wednesday theft of 20 kegs of railroad spikes from the Missouri North Arkansas railroad have now been charged in Independence County Circuit Court.

One of the two, Phillip A. Morris, 29, of Batesville is also accused of attacking an officer who was in the process of taking Morris into custody.

Morris is charged with second-degree battery, resisting arrest, and theft by receiving. The other man, Michael John Myer, 62, of Smithville, is charged with theft by receiving.

Myer was placed on a $5,000 bond, and Morris was put on a $50,000 bond by Judge Chaney Taylor.

Two men were taken into custody Wednesday after an apparent theft from the Missouri North Arkansas Railroad.

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Independence County authorities say the two, Phillip A. Morris, 29, of Batesville, and Michael Myer, 62, of Smithville, were involved in the theft of the railroad property.

Myer was taken into custody and charged with theft by receiving and obstruction of governmental operations.

When Officer Bobby Tate attempted to take Morris into custody, Tate said Morris attacked him, and a struggle ensued. After a few minutes, Chief Deputy Aaron Moody of the Independence County Sheriff’s Office assisted Tate in the arrest.

Morris complained of an injured wrist and was taken to the White River Medical Center. Tate suffered a bleeding wound on his head. Both were treated and released.

Morris was charged with: second-degree battery of a police officer, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and theft by receiving.

Independence County Sheriff Shawn Stephens said the value of the 20 kegs of railroad spikes was $1,040.

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