UPDATE, June 11, 2021: This story has been updated to include an image of the missing juvenile.
Authorities report a runaway juvenile, a stolen truck, and confiscated dope the suspect called “Space Rocks” and “Persy Diamonds” in a review of recent law enforcement activity in Independence County.
The Independence County Sheriff’s Department is currently looking for a 16-year-old Batesville juvenile who left the family residence early Monday evening and has not been seen since.
Independence County Deputy Sheriff Hutton Grace said the youth’s father, Gary Grady, reported his son, Jacob (pictured above in an image released on Friday, June 11, by Sheriff Shawn Stephens), had left in the past, but usually returns shortly afterward. Grady said he had already checked places where Jacob would frequent, but he reported to Grace his son was not at any of those locations.
In his incident report, Grace noted he and Sgt. Bobby Tate double-checked those places Jacob might have been located, but with no success. The juvenile was entered into the Arkansas Crime Information Center as a runaway. Jacob is described as standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing around 130 pounds. He has short brown hair, green eyes, and was last seen wearing black shorts and a t-shirt (the color of the t-shirt was not designated in the report).
If you have seen Jacob, or know of his whereabouts, please contact the Independence County Sheriff’s Department at (870) 793-8838.
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The pickup truck was reported stolen from an East Main Street residence. It’s described as a white 2000 GMC Sierra.
The truck, which could not be started according to the incident report, was apparently stolen by loading it on a trailer based on “drag marks” across the ground. It has been entered into the Arkansas Crime Information Center network and a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was issued for the truck.
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A $20,000 bond was set on Bobby Dewayne Gipson as a result of felony drug charges in Independence County Circuit Court after authorities allege he was in possession of illegal drugs.
According to the court information, Gipson was the owner, driver, and sole occupant of a Ford Explorer that ran off Newport Road near Palo Verde Road in March. At the time of the accident, Arkansas State Police Cpl. Jeremy Hughes was investigating the scene and found several items under a nearby bush, the info said.
Among the items discovered: Around a half-pound of marijuana and 19 jars of THC product with labels such as “Persy Diamonds” and “Space Rocks.”
Hughes said when he confronted Gipson about the items, Gipson admitted they came from his vehicle, the court information reported.
Both marijuana and THC are Schedule VI controlled substances.
Gipson was charged with three felonies: two counts of possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 25 pounds of a Schedule VI substance with the purpose to deliver and tampering with physical evidence. He was also charged with two misdemeanor violations.
Gipson’s driver’s license was suspended at the time of the accident, the state police reported.
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