Attempted theft leads to manhunt, NPC lockdown

The attempted theft of a vehicle Monday afternoon ended with the arrest of a woman and a manhunt for a second male suspect, allegedly armed, prompting a brief lockdown of National Park College at one point.

Shortly after 1 p.m., a 911 caller reported an attempted car theft at 151 Centennial Drive, a Garland County sheriff’s news release said. A bystander reportedly saw a white male and white female trying to steal a car and attempted to block them in with a vehicle, which was struck by the suspects in the stolen vehicle.

The male suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the bystander before both suspects fled on foot. Patrol deputies responded within one minute and began searching for the suspects, locating the woman, identified as Sidney Dodd, 25, who was

charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and breaking or entering, each punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of obstructing government operations.

Additional patrol units, investigators and the GCSD K-9 unit also responded along with Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas State Park Service and they all began searching the area for the male suspect, described as having a full beard, wearing camouflage clothing and a black ball cap.

At one point, the National Park College campus was placed on a lockdown as a precaution, the college said on its Facebook page. Students were advised to remain in a safe location away from windows and doors and to silence their cellphones. The lockdown was lifted at 2:59 p.m. The release notes the sheriff’s department was still actively looking for the suspect and anyone with information should call 501-622-3660.