Benton Police Department’s K9 Nino will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Nino’s vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Gabo, Jonesboro, AR - EOW 1/16/20”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
A suspect was arrested Saturday in connection with the animal cruelty case that occurred in Benton in late May.
John Hunter Shoptaw, 28, of Little Rock, was taken into custody and charged with Aggravated Cruelty to a Cat (Class D Felony); Unauthorized Use of Another Person’s Property to Facilitate Certain Crimes (Class B Felony), and a variety of misdemeanor charges related to previous incidents.
Director Lane and Chief Hodges
* Photo courtesy of Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership
Benton Police Department has been awarded funds through the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership to form an Overdose Response Team. The check was presented Wednesday by ARORP Director Kirk Lane, former Benton Police chief, to current Benton Police Chief Scotty Hodges.
Gary Griffin, 62, of Benton- WANTED
Benton Police Department responded to an address on Line Back Dunn Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. Thursday in reference to an escaped victim who had been held hostage and severely beaten. Officers canvassed the area and determined the suspect, 62-year-old Gary Griffin, of Benton, had left the scene in one of the family vehicles.
Benton Police Department officers responded to the 3100 block of Hamilton Cove around 9:45 p.m. Sunday in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found 37-year-old Karla Coffman suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported for treatment but later succumbed to her injuries. Forty-four-year-old Jonathan Coffman was found deceased at the scene- also from a gunshot wound.
BNPD officers responded to a single-vehicle fatality accident that occurred around 3 p.m. Saturday near Highway 5 and Estates Drive.
The driver, 19-year-old Hannah Haney, of Ulm, Ark., succumbed to her injuries stemming from the accident.
Benton Police Department officers responded to the railroad tracks behind the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, located at 735 S. Neeley Street, just before 9:15 a.m. Sunday in reference to an unattended death.
Following a lengthy investigation, Benton Police Department detectives announced today the arrest of 28-year-old Jerrica Speed, of Hot Springs, for her involvement in the death of 13-year-old Zarious Evans, of Benton, on Jan. 15.
Left: Cottongin; Right: Richmond
