On January 17, the Searcy County Sheriff's Department received information concerning a 2011 U-Haul truck stolen from Conroe, Texas and driven to Marshall, Arkansas. Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell said his department also learned a couple from Conroe, Texas, Jessica Jean Phillips, age 35, and Benjamin Evans, age 46, may be connected to the theft.

The stolen U-Haul was located at a business on Hwy. 27 in Searcy County on January 17 and contact was made with Phillips and Evans. In an interview with Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce and Marshall Police Chief Lang Holland, Phillips and Evans admitted knowing the truck had been stolen by someone other than themselves prior to driving the truck to Marshall.

Evans told law enforcement that a friend gave them the truck when he learned they were moving to Marshall. Evans also stated that he gave his friend money to use the truck, but received no paperwork to use the vehicle.

The vehicle was impounded by law enforcement and Phillips and Evans were arrested and transported to the Searcy County Detention Center. 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Fruehauf charged both with theft by receiving, Class C felony.

Their bond was set a $5,000 each. Both are currently being held in the Searcy County Detention Center awaiting their first appearance in Searcy County Circuit Court.