Bank robbery suspect caught north of Ouachita’s campus

A robbery took place at the U.S Bank on Pine Street today at 10:02 a.m., prompting Ouachita administration to activate the Ouachita Emergency Notification System (OENS).

The suspect fled U.S Bank in a stolen vehicle and abandoned it at the intersection of Sixth and Pine Street in front of Pine Square Apartments which houses Ouachita students. Holmes then continued his escape on foot.

“We [Hunter and a fellow officer] heard the traffic about it over the radio,” said Anthony Hunter, director of Campus Safety.  “We headed over to the area closest to campus in the direction he was running, and then I called the administration and they made the decision to start the campus alert.”

Hunter and a fellow officer patrolled behind O.C. Bailey in hopes of detaining the suspect as he fled north along the Ouachita River.

“We had a perimeter set, so if he had come out, we would have caught him,” Hunter said.

Campus Safety was one of many organizations involved in tracking and pursuing Holmes. Assistance was provided by the FBI, Arkansas State Police, Henderson State University Police, Caddo Valley Police, Gurdon Police and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, according to the Arkadelphia Police Department.

The suspect was caught north of Ouachita’s campus near the soccer field and taken into custody by police.  The FBI is expected to handle the investigation.

During the chase, students and faculty were advised via text messages, e-mail, campus phone messages, computer pop-up alerts and outdoor loudspeakers to remain indoors until further notice.  The alert was lifted at 12:18 p.m.

“We were tremendously pleased by the response of our students and others on campus when the alert was announced,” said Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for student services, in a Ouachita press release.  “The alert system operated effectively and we were able to clear the outside areas of campus very quickly.”

The freshman class moved in three days ago, and some were caught off guard by the OENS.

“I was a little annoyed to be on lockdown,” said freshman Sally Ferguson, explaining she was in a men’s dorm lobby when the alert was issued.  “I never felt endangered, though.  I trust our Campus Safety.”

By Leah Garavelli, Editor-In-Chief. Photo by Ruth Bryan.