Hot Springs police are trying to locate a suspect who reportedly stole several law enforcement-related items from a local military surplus shop, then used the items to shoplift other items the next day.
The suspect, a white male, entered Yellow Jacket Military, 410 Airport Road, an Army and Navy surplus shop, on March 21 and examined various items, first looking at a volunteer firefighter's badge and asking if it was a police badge, Cpl. Kirk Zaner said Wednesday.
He gathered up several items, including two black shirts, one with "POLICE" on it and another with "SHERIFF" on it in white letters, a silver "security" badge, leather duty belt and black bat, and then fled the store without paying.
Zaner noted the store requires purchasers of certain law enforcement items to show the proper credentials of the corresponding agency before the items can be purchased.
The clerk was able to get the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect left in, identified as a silver 2008 Infinity G35, but the car was found to be registered to a female, Zaner said.
The next day, the same suspect is believed to have entered Bed Bath & Beyond, 1454 Higdon Ferry Road, wearing the black shirt with "POLICE" on it and a badge fastened to his belt. He reportedly gathered several items, including two fans and a speaker, and then fled the store without paying.
Store employees tried to stop him, but he was able to get away. Zaner noted the suspect probably figured the employees would be less likely to try to tackle him or stop him if they thought he was law enforcement.
He said they have not received any further reports of the suspect masquerading as law enforcement since the incident at Bed Bath & Beyond, but wanted to alert the public as a safety issue and enlist their help in possibly identifying him.
He said they were able to get surveillance photos which they sent to all other law enforcement agencies and confirmed he was not an employee of any agency in Garland County.
The suspect was described as 6 feet tall, weighing 175 pounds, with shoulder-length black hair and wearing large-gauge earrings.
Zaner noted his hair and the earrings were a tip-off to his being an impostor because they would not be allowed by most law enforcement agencies.
Anyone with information about the suspect or his possible whereabouts should contact detective Hunter Scott at 501-321-6789, ext. 7710.
Local on 04/19/2018