On 7/4/15, at approximately 9:28 AM, officers with the Benton Police Department took a report of a stolen vehicle at Chapel Ridge Apartments (6101 Alcoa Rd.). The victim told officers their Jeep Wrangler had been stolen sometime during the overnight hours and that she last saw it at 6:30 PM on 7/3/15.
Information from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) that was quickly disseminated to local agencies indicated the stolen Jeep was reportedly used in a burglary case they were working. Additional information provided by the Bryant Police Department indicated the suspect in the case had falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer in a case they were working.
Later on 7/4/15, at approximately 10:49 AM, an officer on patrol with the Benton Police Department located the stolen Jeep on Sams Way. The officer then made contact with the suspect, later identified as David Miller (38 YOA) of Benton. Based on information and evidence obtained during the investigation, Miller was taken into custody without incident.
Two firearms were located in the vehicle that had previously been reported stolen from the burglary case in Saline County. Deputies with the SCSO took possession of the firearms and they were returned to the owner. Other items were located in the vehicle that had been reported stolen from a recent vehicle break-in in Benton. Officers from the Bryant Police Department responded to the scene and cited Miller on charges stemming from their investigation.
Miller was arrested and transported to the Saline County Detention Facility for processing. He is charged with Theft by Receiving, Breaking or Entering, Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons (Felon), DWI, and Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test. This is an on-going investigation and additional charges could be forthcoming.
This investigation and arrest would not have been able to be tied together so quickly without the combined hard work of all involved agencies. The quick dissemination and sharing of information allowed for a suspect that might have otherwise temporarily gone free to be arrested before committing more criminal acts.
Anyone with information about this crimes is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us 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. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on iTunes and Google Play.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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