Polk County, Arkansas – Authorities in Polk County, Arkansas, say an inmate who escaped from a local detention facility earlier this month is now back in custody following a traffic stop that ended the multi-day search.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the arrest took place on March 28 along Arkansas Highway 8. Sheriff Scott Sawyer confirmed the development in a Facebook post Saturday, stating that deputies were able to apprehend the escaped inmate after stopping a vehicle on the highway.
The man, identified as Levi Poor, had been on the run since March 22 after escaping from the Polk County Detention Center around 12:25 p.m. that afternoon. Officials said Poor initially fled the facility on foot before allegedly stealing a red 2011 Ford Ranger to continue his escape.
Investigators later determined that the pickup truck used during the escape was found across state lines in LeFlore County, Oklahoma. The recovery of the vehicle became a key development during the search as authorities worked to track the suspect’s movements after leaving Arkansas.
While details surrounding the traffic stop have not been fully disclosed, the sheriff confirmed that the encounter ultimately led to Poor being taken into custody without further incident.
The case now involves legal issues in two states. In Arkansas, Poor had originally been booked into the Polk County jail on charges of third-degree domestic battery and failure to appear in court. Those charges remain active following his recapture.
Authorities say additional legal trouble is waiting for him in Oklahoma as well. An arrest warrant has been issued there for possession of a firearm by a felon, a charge that could bring further consequences once interstate legal matters are addressed.
Law enforcement officials did not immediately provide details on whether additional escape-related charges may be filed in connection with the breakout from the detention center. However, escapes from custody typically lead to further criminal counts once suspects are returned to jail.
Sheriff Sawyer indicated that Poor has now been returned to the Polk County facility, where he remains in custody as the case moves forward through the legal system.
The incident briefly raised concerns among residents in the rural Arkansas county after news spread that a detainee had escaped from the facility and stolen a vehicle during the getaway.
With the suspect back behind bars, authorities say the immediate threat to public safety has been resolved. Investigators are expected to continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the escape while coordinating with officials in Oklahoma regarding the pending warrant.
