Ozark County burglar held at gunpoint by store owner after breaking into Midway antique mall


Christopher Mattson. Photo courtesy Baxter County, Arkansas, Jail.

Christopher Mattson, 45, of Thornfield, is being held in the Baxter County, Arkansas, Jail on a $15,000 bond after he reportedly attempted to burglarize the Old School House Antique Mall in Midway, Arkansas. He is charged with felony-level commercial burglary and a misdemeanor charge of assault. 

Mattson was arrested by the Baxter County Sheriff’s Department in the early morning hours of Oct. 6 after the owner of the Old School House Antique Mall reportedly saw Mattson coming out of the business at 4 a.m. The owner held the Thornfield man at gunpoint until authorities arrived, the press release says. Mattson reportedly pushed the store owner in the chest, and the owner fired a round into the ground. After the shot, Mattson did not resist further, and the owner was able to keep the suspect at the business until a Baxter County Sherrif’s deputy arrived and took Mattson into custody, the press release says. 

Officers say the antique mall’s door had been kicked in, and an audible alarm had sounded. The Thornfield man reportedly damaged some articles inside the building before attempting to flee – and encountering the business owner. 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423