Polk County Deputies Apprehend Two In Connection with Murder

BY LEANN DILBECK –

The Polk County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the apprehension of two suspects wanted for questioning in a murder.  Arkansas State Police received a call shortly after 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, August 13, 2011, of a body being dumped at a raceway in Miller County.  Racetrack owner Clarence Hickey Junior reported that two individuals had dumped an unidentified body from a 2004 silver Toyota SUV.  He was able to obtain the license plate number.

The vehicle was licensed to a Leslie Larcade, age 46, and Crystal Larcade, age 37, a husband and wife of McCurtain County. Arkansas State Police were able to trace a cell phone located within the vehicle.

Just after 6 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Department was notified by the Arkansas State Police that the vehicle was traveling from Watson, OK into the Cove area.  Local deputies began setting up a check point/road block on Hwy 4 with assistance from the Grannis Police Department.

Deputies saw a vehicle matching the description turn onto Hwy 278E and attempted to make a traffic stop.  The Larcades attempted to evade authorities, fleeing into Howard County.  Polk County deputies and Grannis Police Officers pursued approximately five miles until Leslie jumped from the vehicle.  Grannis officers and Polk County Chief Deputy Scott Sawyer apprehended him and took him into custody.

Moments later, Crystal made a u-turn and began heading back.  Deputy Sawyer established a road block to intersect of which Crystal avoided.  According to Polk County Sheriff Mike Godfrey, Sawyer “fired off two rounds taking out the tires on the vehicle.”  Crystal exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.

Both suspects were surrendered to the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and as of press time, Tuesday, have been charged with abuse of a corpse.  Godfrey said the Arkansas State Police have ruled the case a homicide.  The identity of the body has not been released but has been confirmed as male.  Godfrey said it is unknown at this time what county the death occurred in but the Arkansas State Police are continuing their investigation.

Godfrey commended the swift reactions of both Chief Deputy Sawyer and officers of the Grannis Police Department.

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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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