PINE BLUFF ARKANSAS, The Pine Bluff Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection with the kidnapping of a juvenile, according to authorities.
On Jan. 22, officers with the Pine Bluff Police Department responded to the Pine Bluff Corner Market located at 2118 West 13th Avenue after a video circulated online appearing to show a juvenile being forced into a vehicle by an adult man.
Following an initial investigation, police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Arnice Rogers Jr.
Rogers was later located, detained, and transported to the detectives’ office for an interview. Police noted that Rogers had visible scratches on his face and a bruised lip at the time of contact.
A review of surveillance footage from the corner market showed a female inside the store speaking with the clerk, who provided her with a telephone. Authorities identified the female as a 13-year-old girl.
The video then showed Rogers escorting the juvenile out of the store, forcing her into the front passenger seat of his vehicle, and leaving the area traveling southbound on Hazel Street.
The teenager was later located and interviewed by investigators. She stated that she was walking when Rogers initially attempted to pick her up in his vehicle, prompting her to run away.
According to her statement, Rogers caught up to her near the Burger Barn, grabbed her around the waist, and attempted to force her into his vehicle. She said she was able to break free and escape from the vehicle near Central Park.
Police said a witness at the corner market corroborated the juvenile’s account.
Rogers was arrested and transported to the Dub Brassell Detention Center, where he was booked on a charge of kidnapping.
