Cpl. Bart Veal

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-798-2368 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Report # A04-550 Aggravated Robbery, Battery 1st degree at Rehkopf’s Food Mart

Texarkana Arkansas Patrol Officers responded to a stabbing at 2402 Jefferson, Rehkopf’s Food Mart at 4:25pm today. Two employees, 34-year-old William Max Elrod of Texarkana, AR and 19-year-old Bruce Townsend of Genoa, AR, suffered from knife wounds inflicted by a black male. According to statements, the two victims were wounded, while attempting to prevent a theft. McDonald committed shoplifting by concealing frozen meat when employees from the store approached him. A struggle ensued and McDonald produced a knife that he used to cut the victims. Elrod suffered from a laceration to the upper chest and Townsend suffered from a laceration to the right arm. The victims were taken to Wadley Hospital where they were treated and released. Based on witness information officers were able to identify the suspect. Texarkana Metro SWAT team members executed a search warrant in the 1000 block of County although the suspect was not located.

Following a brief and intensive investigation, Texarkana Arkansas Officers located 44 year-old James Edward McDonald at around midnight in the Liberty Motel, 2621 South Lake Drive. McDonald faces two class B felony counts of Battery 1st degree and one count of class Y felony Aggravated Robbery. He is currently in jail awaiting extradition to Arkansas.