For Immediate Release

NWA and River Valley Task Forces Combine Efforts
Fayetteville Wrecker Service Business Owner Arrested in Van Buren

Hayes, a local Fayetteville wrecker service business owner, was wanted by Washington County for aggravated assault on a family member, terroristic threatening, endangering the welfare of a minor, and possession of a firearm. Hayes is also a registered sex offender in Washington County, Arkansas.

Following an intense investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, information led investigators to believe Hayes, with the help of a friend, checked into a local Van Buren motel during the early morning hours of January 26, 2009. The NWA Fugitive Task Force coordinated with the River Valley Fugitive Task Force, and authorities subsequently made contact at the motel at approximately 10 am on Monday morning. Authorities believe they missed Hayes by only moments at the motel. The River Valley Task Force, assisted by the Arkansas State Police, canvassed the area and located Hayes a short time after he left his room. Hayes was checked into the motel under another individual’s name and apparently had very few belongings with him.

Hayes had been on the run since January 22, 2009. Initially, authorities believed Hayes to be armed and dangerous, but no weapon was recovered at the time of his arrest. Hayes is known to have a violent criminal past. Hayes was booked into the Crawford County Detention Center, but prompt transport to Washington County is expected.

The Northwest Arkansas Sex Offender and Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of the U.S. Marshals Service, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and the Bentonville Police Departments. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office currently manages the Federal grant that funds the Task Force.

The River Valley Sex Offender and Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Sebastian and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Van Buren Police Department, Alma Police Department and Arkansas Department of Community Corrections.

Every year, the U.S. Marshals and its associated Task Forces throughout the country arrest more fugitives than all federal law enforcement agencies combined. Last year, this number was more than 73,000 state and local fugitives and more than 36,000 federal fugitives.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.