BY MELANIE BUCK –
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man wanted for aggravated assault late Thursday night after a call came in to dispatch from Howard County, and found a trove of drugs and a firearm in the midst. At approximately 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017, Polk County authorities were informed of a suspect that allegedly committed aggravated assault at Umpire High School, which is located in Howard County, Arkansas. The suspect allegedly pulled out a gun at the school. Other details are not known at this time.
The suspect, 44-year old Richard Heifner, had last been seen driving a white Ford flatbed truck and was suspected to be heading towards Polk County. Around 10:15 p.m., members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department located the suspect on Highway 246 East in Vandervoort. Following a traffic stop, the subject was taken into custody.
During the traffic stop, officers found a large amount of methamphetamine and a .40 caliber handgun.
Heifner is currently in the Polk County Detention Center awaiting formal charges and arraignment. His preliminary charges in Polk County contain at least two Class Y felonies that could carry life sentences, including Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms and Possession of Methamphetamines with the Purpose to Deliver more than 10 grams but less than 200 grams. He also faces a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond has been set at $50,000.
In Howard County, his bond was also set at $50,000 on charges of Aggravated Assault.
As a note, any suspect within this report is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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