Vian Police officers apprehend suspect Friday afternoon

An Arkansas man was arrested Friday afternoon by Vian Police after he reportedly stole a school bus from Springdale, Ark. the night before, and then left it in Vian.

Roy A. Stutts, 55, of Bentonville was found walking around 11 a.m. in the vicinity of Mittie Martin and Sequoyah Streets, according to Vian Police Chief Mark Harkins.

Harkins said Springdale Police advised that Stutts was their suspect, stating he walked with a pronounced limp and was usually seen with a German Sheppard.

Harkins said authorities reviewed camera footage caught of Stutts in different locations, which allowed them to get a timeline, finding his direction of travel.

“He was traveling by modes of opportunity, such as keys left in unlocked vehicles,” Harkins said. “But there was no reason to believe he was dangerous to the public other than stealing their transportation to travel from town to town.”

According to court records, Stutts was booked into the Sequoyah County Detention Center on Friday on charges of receive, possess, conceal stolen vehicle and bringing stolen property into the state. Stutts was also flagged for flight to avoid Benton County, Ark.

“Thank you to everyone who assisted with the calls and very valuable information,” the police chief concluded.