On 2/13/14, detectives with the Benton Police Department were notified about a group of suspects that were swapping keys to vehicles at Everett Motors Pre-Owned lot on Military Road. This was being done under the pretenses of test driving them and it’s believed the method has been used on other occasions to steal vehicles. On 2/13/14, at approximately 11:30 PM, patrol officers observed a vehicle reportedly stolen by the key swapping suspects along with a vehicle used by them to drop off a suspect to steal the car from the dealership. A traffic stop was conducted on the transport vehicle used to drop off the suspect and two subjects, later identified as William Price (26 YOA) and Courtney Lane (25 YOA) from Pine Bluff, were subsequently taken into custody without incident.
Officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle and the suspect refused to stop for them. The suspect then bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot in the area of The Greens at Hurricane Creek apartment complex in Bryant. Detectives are diligently working on locating the suspect at this time.
Lane is charged with Theft of Property, Use of Another Person’s Property to Facilitate a Crime, and Driving on Suspended. Price is charged with Theft of Property and Use of Another Person’s Property to Facilitate a Crime. This is an on-going investigation and additional charges could be forthcoming.
Anybody with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send an anonymous crime tip about this incident to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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