Update:
BAXTER COUNTY, Ark. – A wanted parolee who was the subject of a several hour manhunt in Cotter on Wednesday afternoon is in custody at the Baxter County Detention Center.
The parolee, Brandon James Junek, 34, fled from officers during a traffic stop on Cotter Road near the White River on April 11. He was a passenger in the vehicle, which was being driven by Beverly Ann Rogers, 33, of Mountain Home.
Officers from a number of agencies searched for Junek for several hours without success. He was wanted on outstanding warrants, including a felony Fail to Appear warrant from Conway County, Arkansas. Junek has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for Arson, Aggravated Assault, Felon in Possession of Firearms, and Drug charges. He was last released on parole on January 29.
Officers with the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections began conducting a follow-up investigation on Thursday, including additional interviews with Rogers, who is also a parolee.
Law enforcement says that Rogers has two prior convictions in Marion County in 2009 cases for felony drug offenses as well as an additional two convictions in Baxter County in 2010 for more felony drug offenses.
During the follow-up investigation, officers learned that Rogers drove to a house on MC 7031 in Marion County, which is near Cotter, after being released from the initial traffic stop. Junek joined her there later in the evening, arriving there on foot. A third party then drove to the residence on MC 7031, picked up both Junek and Rogers, and then drove them to a residence on McBride Lane in Baxter County. Rogers has been living there, although she was supposed to have been living at a residence on Ray Street in Mountain Home according to her parole plan.
Several officers from Arkansas Community Corrections went to the house on McBride Lane on Thursday afternoon around 4:15 p.m. to find Junek. Upon their arrival, they found the door to be barricaded. Rogers was then brought to the house and assisted them in gaining entry. Once officers entered the residence, Junek was discovered hiding behind a couch. He was quickly arrested and taken into custody without further incident, then taken to the Baxter County Detention Center. Rogers was also taken into custody and taken to the Detention Center.
Brandon Junket is being held without bond for a Parole Violation and on the outstanding arrest warrants.
Beverly Rogers is also being held without bond for a Parole Violation. She will also be facing a charge of Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, which is a felony, and will appear later this month in Circuit Court to answer that charge.
Original story:
BAXTER COUNTY, Ark. – Authorities are searching for a parolee who fled from a traffic stop Wednesday.
At approximately 1:30 pm, Baxter County Sheriff’s Investigators made a traffic stop on East Cotter Road.
The passenger in the vehicle provided false identification to investigators and then ran away from the traffic stop and into a wooded area.
The suspect was identified as Brandon James Junek, 34, of Morrilton.
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by Cotter PD, Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Department of Corrections K-9 Dog Team were involved in the man hunt.
The K-9 Dog Tracking Team, assisted by the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, tracked the suspect to an area near 5th & McLean Streets.
From witnesses accounts, authorities believe the suspect was given a ride out of the area. The man hunt was terminated at approximately 5 p.m.
According the the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Junek has been sentenced 7 different times to prison since 2001. He was arrested again in October 2017 for possession of drug paraphernalia and felon in possession of a firearm. He was released from Conway County Jail by the Parole Board on January 29 after serving 102 days in the county jail. His past convictions include, Theft, Arson, Felon in possession of firearms (5 convictions) Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Controlled Substance.
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office says Junek is still at large.
During the search of the area around 5th and McLean Streets, a man was arrested for Manufacturing a controlled substance. Authorities found the remnants of an indoor marijuana grow operation in a detached garage at the home near the 500 block of McLean Ave, in Cotter.
Edward Everett Call, 30, was arrested and charged with: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Manufacture of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance Disorderly Conduct Obstructing Governmental Operations.
He was released from the Baxter County Detention Center after posting a $2,990 bond pending his appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court on April 19 at 1 p.m.
