A Hot Springs man was arrested on a warrant for felony battery and driving while intoxicated after the Hot Springs Police Department posted his mug shot on its Facebook page as part of its "Warrant Wednesday" program.
Michael Brian Woods, 45, who lists a Mockingbird Street address, was arrested at around 9 a.m. Wednesday and charged with felony second-degree battery, punishable by up to six years in prison, and DWI.
He was released on a $3,500 bond, and is set to appear in Garland County District Court on Oct. 24.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Woods allegedly drove his white GMC Yukon southbound in the northbound lane of Central Avenue at a high rate of speed on Feb. 11, striking four other vehicles and a utility pole before the Yukon came to rest on its roof near Chili's Bar and Grill, 3815 Central Ave.
The driver of the first vehicle struck by the Yukon was treated for four broken ribs, a bruised lung, a skull fracture and a laceration that required four staples in his left arm. No other major injuries were reported.
On March 10, the police department subpoenaed CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs to obtain Woods' medical records from the incident. The records reportedly showed that hospital staff drew his blood around 2 a.m. and his blood alcohol content was 0.26.
The "Warrant Wednesday" post featuring Woods was published Oct. 6 and shared 79 times. The department reportedly received tips from the community concerning Woods' whereabouts and officers took him into custody on Wednesday.
Each Wednesday, the police department posts a mug shot of a wanted person on its Facebook page. Through the community's assistance, the department has reportedly had a 95 percent success rate in apprehending those suspects, according to Officer 1st Class Joey Williams.
Williams said that the individuals highlighted on "Warrant Wednesdays" have typically been in contact with the police multiple times prior to the post but fail to turn themselves in. After they feel they have exhausted other options, police turn to the public for its assistance, he said.
The most recent "Warrant Wednesday" post generated public interest after a Facebook username attributed by police to the suspect, who is wanted on a warrant for felony second-degree domestic battery, reacted and commented on the post.
"A girl can't even work and get up the bail money first," the post stated in part.
The police department responded to the post twice by tagging the username and urging the suspect to turn herself in. According to Williams, the suspect is wanted for felony domestic battery after an alleged altercation left the victim blind in one eye.
The police department's post indicated she had been in contact with a detective to arrange her surrender, but she failed to follow through. As of Thursday afternoon, she had not turned herself in.
Local on 10/13/2017