Gravette police apprehend two

David Casares
David Casares

— Gravette police officers apprehended David Allen Casares, a wanted fugitive, Wednesday, Jan. 17, after an incident at a Hiwasse business.

Gravette Police Department received an anonymous tip late on Wednesday evening that Casares was seen at the Hiwasse business with his alleged victim and children. Casares was wanted on multiple charges by various agencies, including the Arkansas Board of Parole.

Upon arrival, Gravette police officers identified Casares in the business. No other customers were in the business at the time, but they alerted the business staff and relocated them to a safe location. One officer began negotiations with the suspect while another attempted to get the suspect's alleged victim and children to safety.

Casares was arrested a short time later. A search during the arrest incident revealed a loaded .357 magnum handgun on Casares, which was seized as evidence. No one was injured during the arrest.

Gravette police officers had an earlier encounter with Casares on Jan. 13 when they responded to a call to assist Sulphur Springs Police Department with a report of a disturbance within its city. When Gravette officers arrived, Casares fled the scene, leading the authorities on a high-speed chase. Information was given the officers at that time that the suspect was armed with a .357 handgun. He was able to elude authorities until his capture on Jan. 17.

Casares is linked to as many as two stolen vehicles, one of which was recovered at the scene of his arrest. He is currently facing numerous charges in connection to endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree, a felony; possession of a firearm by certain persons, a felony; disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor; and a failure to appear warrant, a misdemeanor.

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, officer Mike Savage, of the Gravette Police Department, ran a vehicle license check on a red Ford Taurus being driven inside the city. The vehicle license returned to a different vehicle. Officer Savage attempted to stop the vehicle being driven by Cecil H. Smith III. Smith refused to stop and a pursuit followed, according to police.

Smith turned off Arkansas Highway 59 onto Main Street in Gravette. Officer Savage followed. Smith then turned down Second Avenue N.E., driving to the north at speeds of more than 50 miles per hour. He allegedly ran several stop signs before reaching the dead end on Second Avenue N.E. There he stopped his car and jumped out, running toward Highway 59 to the west. according to police.

Officer Savage followed on foot, giving directions to dispatch and other officers arriving on the scene. Smith ran through the woods and across Highway 59, where he was apprehended by other Gravette officers, according to information released by Gravette police.

Smith was discovered to have a revocation warrant from the State of Arkansas. He was also charged in connection with displaying a false vehicle license, careless and prohibited driving, no proof of insurance, fleeing and failure to register.

General News on 01/24/2018