FORT SMITH (KFSM) — Police have arrested a third suspect in connection to a home invasion robbery.
According to a release, a 16-year-old male student of Southside High School was interviewed and arrested on Wednesday (May 11) on suspicion of aggravated robbery.
Police stated that they are still searching for the property taken and the weapons used during the robberies.
The suspect’s name has not been released.
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Two teenage males were arrested after police received reports of armed robberies at the Lakeside Apartments.
Kent Thompson, 18, and Justin Douglas, 19, were taken into custody by Fort Smith Police after officers said they were involved in two robberies, five days apart.
Thompson is a student of Southside High School, according to Sgt. Daniel Grubbs.
The first incident was the evening of April 29. A press release stated that three suspects entered through the back door of an apartment, one armed with a shotgun.
On Wednesday afternoon (May 5), police responded to the apartment complex again after three victims told police two black males had robbed them. The victims stated that they were ordered to the floor while the suspects, armed with what appeared to be a black semi-automatic pistol and a pump shotgun, ransacked the apartment. They were forced into a small closet, where they remained until calling police, the release stated.
Grubbs said about $1,000 worth of materials were stolen in each instance, and that the stolen items mainly consisted of game systems, electronics and phones. He said that none of the weapons allegedly used or stolen property has been recovered yet.
Police were tipped by the maintenance crew at the apartment complex when they noticed a vehicle parked in an awkward position. The worker took a picture of the vehicle, a gray 80s model Ford truck, which he stated was occupied by two black males.
Thompson was brought to the police department and interviewed, after which he was arrested. Through interviews and witnesses, a second suspect was developed, Justin Douglas. The release stated that he was located on Friday (May 6) and brought to the police department for an interview; he was taken into custody shortly after the interview.
Thompson and Douglas were arrested on suspicion of three counts of aggravated robbery, police stated.
Police are still searching for additional suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing. The release stated that police strongly believe the incidents are related.
Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to call the Fort Smith Police Department at (479) 709-5100 or dial 78-CRIME.