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Deputies: Hackett Woman Escapes After Being Kidnapped, Man Arrested

(KFSM) – A 34-year-old woman was kidnapped on Sunday (Aug. 17) around 8:45 p.m., but she was later able to escape, authorities say. Anita Smith, of Hacket...
Jerald Brewer

(KFSM) – A 34-year-old woman was kidnapped on Sunday (Aug. 17) around 8:45 p.m., but she was later able to escape, authorities say.

Anita Smith, of Hackett, was able get away from her captor, and she made it to police in Mena, who contacted her family to let them know she was safe, according to a news release.

Authorities originally received a call about a woman taken from her home against her will. They responded and spoke to witnesses who said Smith had been possibly beaten and taken away by an acquaintance, the release states.

The vehicle Smith was taken in was also believed to be stolen, and it was last seen by family members heading west toward Oklahoma, according to the release.

The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office released the information about her and the car to law enforcement agencies in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, the release states.

Around 10:30 p.m. on the same night, the Mena Police Department called Smith’s family and told her that Smith had escaped from her abductor, and she was safe with them. They said she had been beaten and needed to go to the hospital, according to the release.

Investigators went to interview her in Mena, and her abductor was identified as Jerald L. Brewer, 38, of Nashville, Arkansas, the release states.

Brewer fled when Smith escaped at a gas station, and she ran over to people inside a car and asked them to take her somewhere safe, according to the release.

They took her away and called police. She met with investigators, and they noted in their report that she had marks and scratches covering her throat, arms and legs. Smith had been struck with objects and choked by Brewer before he kidnapped her, the release states.

She said she thought he was going to kill her, but after she escaped, her parents were able to bring her back home, according to the release.

Brewer was later captured in Idabel, Oklahoma still driving the stolen car, the release states.

Warrants were issued for Brewer on Aug. 18 on suspicion of kidnapping, aggravated assault and second-degree domestic battery. He is awaiting extradition back to Arkansas, according to the release.

The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Hackett Police Department, the Mena Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police and Idabel Police Department, the release states.

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