DUMAS, Ark. — According to Dumas Police Chief Keith Finch, one suspect is still at-large after escaping from the Dumas Jail Tuesday, December 22, 2020.
Statement from the Dumas Police Department:
Lorenzo Deon Williams along with Billy Walls escaped from the Dumas City Jail. Walls was captured as he tried to flee in a stolen vehicle of a jailer. Williams is a black male 34 years of age, 5'4” 150 lbs and has evaded capture on foot at the time of this release. Williams was being held on charges of Parole Violation, Aggravated Residential Burglary, Possession of Firearms By Certain Persons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Aggravated Assault, Discharging a Firearm in City Limits and Criminal Mischief. Williams was unarmed when he escaped but should be considered dangerous. Williams may be trying to get to the McGehee, AR area or Detroit, MI. If seen do not attempt to take into custody. Contact you local police department, Dumas Police Department 870-382-5511 or dial 911.
In his attempt to escape, Walls tried to get away in a white pickup truck which was parked across the street from the Dumas Police Department directly in front of the Dumas Clarion newspaper. By the time Walls started the truck engine, Dumas Police units pulled up behind the white truck, blocking Walls from backing out of the parking space. Unable to back out of the parking space, Walls attempted to drive the truck forward, jumped the curb and plowing into the front of the Dumas Clarion newspaper office. The impact smashed two large glass windows and damaged a neighboring brick wall while crushing the newspaper stand that has stood outside the Clarion for years.
The loud sounds of the truck engine, shattering glass and police scream ing commands of, “Get on the ground!” were heard by Dumas Clarion Publisher Rick Wright and his wife Mitzi, who were in the back of the Clarion building working at the time.
Walls obeyed police commands and was immediately taken back into custody.
However, Williams fled on foot.
Special Units were brought in to assist in the man hunt. Horse mounted officers used dogs to search the immediate area. Clothing, believed to be discarded by Williams, was found in a back yard behind the Clarion. However, the suspect evaded searchers.
The investigation is ongoing into how the escape happened.
