Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Police Continue Investigation Into Fire, Rapes

It was Split Rail week for local law enforcement agencies.

Wednesday, Aug. 6, at approximately 1 a.m., the Prescott Fire Department was dispatched to the Split Rail to fight a fire in building 3.

The building was completely consumed, though firefighters battled the blaze for the remainder of the night.

According to Jim Westmoreland, criminal investigator for the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Prescott Police Department, arson is suspected in the fire and the investigation continues. The probe is being conducted by the NCSO, PPD and Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division.

RAPE REPORTED

The second incident to occur last week at the Split Rail was an alleged rape.

According to Westmoreland, around 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, a 23-year-old female resident told administrative personnel she had been raped in her room by a 41-year-old male resident of the Split Rail.

She was taken to Medical Park Hospital in Hope for testing. Westmoreland said the case is still under investigation and charges have not yet been filed.

RAPE ALLEGED

The Clark County Sheriff's Office and the NCSO have been working together in trying to solve an alleged rape.

According to Westmoreland, a 24-year-old Michigan woman made the initial report to the CCSO Monday, Aug. 4.

The alleged victim reportedly approached an ASP Trooper at the Dillard Shell Station on Highway 53 near Exit 63 on Interstate 30, telling him she had been raped and was being held against her will.

The trooper then took her male companion, a 51-year-old also from Michigan, into custody, with the victim being taken to the CCSO.

She told officers she had been raped in a gravel pit off Hwy. 53 in Nevada County. These are the same gravel pits where the rifle that was used to kill Jeff Lewis and Malissa Clark in 1992 was found.

According to reports, the two were traveling from Michigan to Florida together, with the suspect reportedly being from the Clark County area.

He was questioned and released pending further investigation.

Westmoreland thanked the CCSO for its help in the case.

SUSPECT ARRESTED

One of the suspects from the recent saturation arrest was picked up Sunday, Aug. 10, by NCSO deputy Wally Hulan.

Donnell Hart was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant issued June 30, 1997. The charge against him is delivery of a controlled substance, namely crack cocaine.

Westmoreland said Hart was one of two suspects not arrested during the saturation roundup because he was out of the county at the time it occurred.

Hart is being held in the Nevada County jail pending his first appearance in court.

ARSON CHARGED

What began as an arrest for a misdemeanor shoplifting turned into a class Y felony arson charge.

According to reports, Glynn Forbis, 35, a resident of the Breadbasket, was arrested Friday, Aug. 8, by PPD officer Joey Grayson for reportedly shoplifting a pack of cigarettes at the Piggly Wiggly store.

Forbis was placed in the Nevada County jail where he allegedly attempted to set fire to items in his cell. He was taken to a local doctor where he was treated and released.

This resulted in his being charged with arson.