Woman arrested for allegedly breaking into neighbor’s house and stealing a handbag

A Hot Springs woman was arrested Tuesday morning on a felony charge of breaking into her neighbor’s apartment and stealing her purse. She later reportedly claimed she didn’t know why she “does the things she does.”

Sandra Beth Wiley, 70, of 1925 Malvern Ave. in Country Club Village, was arrested at her residence shortly after 10:30 a.m. and charged with burglary, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and theft of property, punishable by up to six years.

Wiley, who has no prior criminal record, was initially held on $7,500 bail, but after her appearance in Garland County District Court, her bail was reduced to $3,500 and a reconsideration hearing was scheduled for July 19. She remained in custody Thursday.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police Officer Alex Tobar went to the apartments shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday to report a suspected burglary that occurred on May 17.

He spoke with the female victim, who stated that her neighbor, a man named Wiley, came to her apartment at approximately 4:15 p.m. on May 17 and stole her purse containing several items.

She said she was in a back room when Wiley came in through the unlocked front door, grabbed her black purse from the kitchen counter and walked out the front door. She said in her purse were her identification, a debit card, her house keys and about $70 in cash.

The woman was able to present surveillance footage of her apartment that supported her allegations.

Tobar made contact with Wiley at her apartment and after being read her rights, she initially denied taking the bag and stated she was not at the victim’s apartment. Due to “the very clear video footage” showing her taking the bag, she was arrested and taken to the police.

Detective Matthew Cheatham questioned Wiley again after explaining her rights, and this time Wiley allegedly admitted to going to the apartment and taking the bag. When asked why, Wiley allegedly said she couldn’t tell Cheatham “why she does the things she does.”