SEBASTIAN COUNTY (KFSM)— A man who was shot by a homeowner after reportedly breaking into the homeowner’s vehicle and burglarizing his residence has been released from jail, and another suspect who was also shot remains in critical condition at a Fort Smith hospital.
The mother of the suspect who remains in critical condition told 5NEWS that her son, Genaro Michael Salas, has had three surgeries as a result of the incident.
The case is going to be turned over to Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue, who will determine whether charges will be filed against the homeowner, said Lt. Philip Pevehouse with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office.
Jimmy Huu Nguyen, 19, of Fort Smith was released at 12:15 p.m. Friday from the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $14,500 bond, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of felony breaking and entering and one count of felony theft by receiving and theft of property out of Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, as well as four counts of felony breaking and entering and one count of felony residential burglary out of Fort Smith Police Department.
Nguyen was arrested by investigators following an interview early Wednesday (Nov. 23). He was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center at 3:02 p.m. after he was released from a Fort Smith hospital where he received treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
This isn’t the first arrest for Nguyen. He was also arrested Sept. 12 by Barling police on suspicion of misdemeanor theft by receiving, and was released the following day from jail on a $1,000 bond, according to deputies.
A prisoner hold status has been placed against Salas so that he goes to jail after he is released from the hospital, according to police.
Salas also has prior arrests on his record including a six month and nine-day stint in jail in connection with misdemeanor drug and weapon charges, as well as a warrant. He also has been arrested on suspicion of felony theft by receiving and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
During the interview, Nguyen told investigators he and Salas broke into 10 vehicles in the area of Riley Farm on Deerfield, Douglas and Highland Park Drives.
The arrest stems from a matter that happened at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 23). A man reported his vehicle was broken into and his pool house burglarized at his residence in the 12000 block of Tennessee Circle in the Rye Hill area, police said.
Nguyen also allegedly confessed to the burglary during the interview and told investigators he and Salas stole a large flat screen television.
After seeing the two near his vehicle, the homeowner called 9-1-1. He told dispatchers he saw the suspects breaking into his vehicle and when he confronted them, the suspects fled to a getaway car that was parked on the street. As the suspects sped away, the man who reported the crime shot at the getaway car, a news release sent from the Sheriff’s Office states.
The driver of the getaway car then looped around the street, returned to the scene of the break-in, and a brief shootout occurred before the suspects fled the vicinity, according to the news release. The homeowner was not injured.
After fleeing the vicinity, Salas was dropped off at a house and Nguyen abandoned the getaway car on Highway 549. He was found by a passerby walking along the highway, according to police.
A man who said he wishes to remain anonymous told 5NEWS he gave a bloody Nguyen a ride to Mercy Hospital for treatment.
Police were dispatched to Mercy Hospital when a nurse reported a man was in the emergency room seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg.
After speaking with Nguyen, police located the abandoned car.
A substantial amount of stolen items were found in the car, including several guns and tools, at least $2,000 cash, sunglasses, radar detectors and other miscellaneous items, according to police.
Not long after, police went to the home where Salas was. Paramedics also arrived at the home to take him to Sparks Regional Medical Center for treatment for the gunshot wound to his leg.
