MARIONNA, Ark. – Arkansas State Police announced Friday that an inmate who escaped from the Brinkley Police Department detention center on Thursday was captured at a farm shop on Lee County Road 310. The suspect, identified as 41‑year‑old Rodney Smith, was found at 12:36 p.m. by members of the agency’s Emergency Response Team and taken into custody without incident.
Details of the capture
According to the state police release, Smith was a passenger in a vehicle parked at the farm shop when officers located him. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Marshall Jones, was also taken into custody and questioned at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Both men were later transported to the Arkansas Division of Correction’s East Arkansas Regional Unit in Brickeys.
How the escape unfolded
State police said Smith escaped Thursday morning after allegedly assaulting law‑enforcement personnel and seizing an officer’s Taser before fleeing on foot. At the time of his escape, Smith was being held at the Brinkley detention center while awaiting a bed space with the Division of Correction.
Multi‑agency search effort
The search for Smith involved a coordinated effort among several state and federal agencies. Participants included Arkansas State Police emergency response personnel, criminal investigators, Troop D troopers, and the agency’s aircraft section. Additional assistance came from Brinkley police, the U.S. Marshals Service, Arkansas Community Corrections, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Department of Corrections K‑9 and drone teams.
Legal status
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The release did not specify any charges against the driver, Marshall Jones.
Community impact
The swift apprehension of Smith demonstrates the effectiveness of inter‑agency cooperation in protecting public safety across Arkansas. Residents of Lee County and surrounding areas can take reassurance that law‑enforcement agencies remain vigilant and responsive when threats arise.
State officials have not indicated whether additional security measures will be implemented at the Brinkley detention center following the escape. The incident underscores the importance of adequate detention capacity and the need for continued investment in correctional infrastructure.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
