GRAVETTE — A man who had been sought by federal and area law enforcement officers for more than a week after he had been convicted of multiple charges in a Washington County Circuit Court trial was taken into custody last Thursday, October 2, near Gravette.

Terry Hayes, 41, was arrested about 3 a.m. in a wooded area northwest of town after he fled from a parked car.

Hayes, a felon, was convicted of holding a gun to his son’s head and threatening to kill the child’s mother. He fled September 24 while the jury was deliberating his sentencing.

They recommended up to 55 years in prison.

Gravette officer Jeff Turner spotted the man who fled into a wooded area and Turner and local officers Travis Grant and Blake Smith assisted in the arrest as did Benton County sheriff deputies.

The N.W.A. Fugitive Task Force, also was assisted by U. S. Marshals Service from Springfield, MO, and other Missouri agencies. A U. S. Marshals press release indicated Hayes may have been hiding in various regions in N. W. Arkansas and S. W. Missouri.

The press release indicated the case is still being investigated and additional arrests of persons who may have harbored the escapee could occur.

News, Pages 1 on 10/07/2009