BAXTER COUNTY, Ark. (KTHV) -- The Sheriff's Office has suspended the roadblocks that had been set up on State Highway 5 South at both ends of Norfork shortly after officers began searching for Stephan Richard Whaples.
Following the initial flight from the Norfork Police Chief this morning, there had been only one additional sighting of Whaples by a citizen living nearby. Whaples was seen by that citizen to enter a white van and steal a blue shirt. Whaples may now be wearing a blue shirt with white lettering on the front, and he may also be wearing jean shorts or blue shorts now.
The tracking dog team from the Arkansas Department of Corrections followed an initial track, but lost the track around 11 a.m. near the railroad tracks. There have been no additional sightings of Whaples.
Even though the roadblocks and intensive search have been suspended, deputies will remain patrolling the area for the time being pending any further reports of Whaples being seen in the vicinity.
The Sheriff's Offices wishes to stress that Whaples is not believed to be armed or to present any danger to the general public.