Suspect arrested

— By PATRIC FLANNIGAN

Staff Writer

Camden Police Chief Bo Woody says he is confident justice has been served after arresting the suspect from Friday's robbery that led to a homicide in Garden Oaks Shopping Center.

At 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Austin Hill, 19, a senior at Harmony Grove High School, was placed in custody in connection to the shooting death of Mac's Fresh Food Market manager Richard Anders. The 63-year-old manager was shot and killed outside of Mac's before entering his vehicle to make a deposit on behalf of the store.

Hill was arrested after a traffic stop near his home on Crestwood Street on Sunday. Woody confirmed that a substantial amount of money was found on Hill and he will be charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, Woody held a press conference in regards to the arrest, but he was limited to the amount of details he could provide because the crime is an ongoing investigation. He said that officers had been sitting and watching the suspect's house over the last two days before the warrant for his arrest was signed by Judge Hamilton Singleton just around 15 minutes before Hill's arrest.

Woody contributed the apprehension of Hill to "old fashioned police work," and explained that the CPD, Ouachita County Sheriff's Office, and the Arkansas State Police had simply followed a lot of leads and gathered information from many residents.

"Basically all the people in this room, all the officers and everyone, have been working non-stop since Friday night," Woody said. "This is tragic, it really is. We are really confident in what we've done today. I know that this is going to bring some closure. I have spoke with the Anders family, and my heart just goes out to them. We are going to do everything we can to finish this up."

Capt. Scott Rosson thanked local religious leaders, the business owners who raised reward money for any information leading to the capture of the suspect, and other law enforcement agencies that helped with the investigation.

"We have a great group of officers here," Rosson said. "The ASP. We can't thank ya'll enough. (Ouachita County Sheriff) David (Norwood) thank you so much. David's been great. His men have been in and out this whole weekend helping us.

"You guys really pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Anybody that we missed, I'm sorry." Rosson stated to everyone in the room at the press conference.

Woody stated the interview process with Hill would start immediately after the conclusion of the press conference. After the interview, Hill will be transferred to the Ouachita County Detention Complex.

Upcoming Events