Siloam Springs man stole pickup after release from Benton County Jail

BENTONVILLE -- Marcus Hignite admitted Monday he stole a pickup earlier this year less than an hour after getting out of the Benton County Jail.

Hignite, of Siloam Springs, pleaded guilty to felony theft of property, which is punishable by up to six years in prison.

Hignite's attorney, Jay Saxton, reached the plea agreement with Tyler Hawkins, deputy prosecutor.

Hignite, 20, was arrested in connection with a charge of drunken, insane and disorderly persons March 29. He was released from the jail at 8:43 a.m. that morning, according to court documents.

At 9:24 a.m., a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado was reported stolen from Camp Bow Wow at 1403 SW 14th St., across the street from the jail. The pickup was seen leaving the parking lot and heading west on Southwest 14th, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Hignite told police after he was released from jail he walked down Southwest 14th and decided he needed a way out of town, according to the affidavit. Hignite said he looked in the truck, saw the keys in the ignition and decided to steal it, according to the affidavit.

A Gentry police officer stopped the pickup on Arkansas 59.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren hesitated about accepting the plea agreement, which requires Hignite to spend six years on state supervised probation and serve 91 days in jail. He will get credit for the 91 days he spent in custody awaiting trial.

Saxton and Hawkins spoke with the judge about the case during a break Monday morning. Karren decided to accept the plea agreement when he returned to the courtroom.

The judge warned Hignite he had to understand he must follow the same rules as everyone else.

Hignite was sentenced under Act 346, which means his conviction can be expunged if he successfully completes his probation.

He must pay $1,920 in court costs.

General News on 06/29/2016