Authorities in Stone County are searching for a man who may be armed following an investigation into a possible stolen vehicle in the Fredonia Cemetery area.
Friday Stone County Sheriff Lance Bonds said during the investigation of the possible stolen vehicle Tuesday, an officer from his department spotted another suspicious vehicle in the same area.
When the investigator attempted to stop the suspicious vehicle, the driver fled at a high rate of speed in excess of 100 miles per hour. The investigator identified the driver as Phillip Callahan of Stone County. During the pursuit, Callahan destroyed a locked gate when he drove through it. It was later learned after crashing through the gate, Callahan attempted to set the vehicle on fire. With the investigator closing in, the Stone County man was unsuccessful in burning the vehicle. Callahan and another male fled on foot into a wooded area off of Sunny Land Road. A female was also located in the area, but is not considered a suspect in this incident.
During the course of the search for Callahan, law enforcement learned he was armed with a handgun when he fled. The North Central Arkansas Department of Correction K9 Team was requested for assistance, and road blocks were put in place. The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the search by providing its helicopter. At approximately midnight Tuesday, the ground search was suspended.
Anyone who sees or comes into contact with Callahan, is asked to contact the Stone County Sheriff’s Department at 870-269-3825 or any local or state law enforcement agency.
Callahan frequents the counties and areas around Stone County. He is wanted for parole absconding, kidnapping, felony fleeing and terroristic threatening.
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