Search for federal fugitive ends Search for federal fugitive ends in Arkansas
By Julie Bisbee
Published: May 8, 2008
SMITHVILLE — A man on the run from federal officials was captured Wednesday after keeping officers at bay for nearly three days and shutting down school in the process.
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Keith E. Miller, 42, was captured Wednesday by deputies in Polk County, Ark.
Miller had been on the run since about 1 a.m. Monday, when he led Arkansas authorities on a chase into southeastern Oklahoma.
Miller was captured in Cove about 14 miles from Smithville where it is believed he hid in a school complex for nearly two days.
Miller abandoned his truck near the Smithville school, forcing administrators to cancel school for the past three days.
For Smithville school Superintendent Delbert McBroom, news of Miller's capture was a relief. Students are expected to return to school today.
Three days have been tagged onto the school's calendar because of the manhunt, McBroom said. Seniors will go through graduation May 16 and then return to classes the following week to finish out the school year.
Holding classes while the manhunt was in progress was made impossible as troopers surrounded the school grounds, set up roadblocks and had a command post in the bus barn during the search.
Miller was being sought by the U.S. marshals for violating the terms of his probation. He has a federal kidnapping conviction from a federal court in Fort Smith, Ark., said Drew Joseph, deputy U.S. marshal.
Miller was convicted of rape and kidnapping in Adair County in 1984 and released from prison in August 2006.
Miller was apprehended as he walked along a city street in Cove. Miller was taken into custody at gunpoint, according to officials with Polk County Sheriff's Department.
Miller traveled from Smithville to Hatfield, Ark., about 18 miles, on foot through woods and fields, he told Polk County deputies.
More charges likely
While in Hatfield, Miller allegedly robbed a building supply delivery truck. Arkansas deputies said Miller held a delivery man at gunpoint for nearly 30 minutes with what appeared to be a 9 mm pistol. After his arrest, officers determined Miller's weapon was a BB gun.
After taking the truck, Miller traveled south to Cove, where he tried to enter City Hall, but employees locked the door and called police.
Miller could face charges of felony fleeing, kidnapping, aggravate robbery from the incidents in Polk County.
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