Emergency Service personnel from two counties spent a number of hours Sunday into Monday draining oil and other material from a pit behind the former Illinois Tool and Die plant on West 34th Avenue after believing that at least one suspect who had broken into the business had fallen in.
Two other suspects, Ronald Anthony Shalmy, 33, of Fordyce and Lacey Sanders, 23, of Pine Bluff, were found inside the building, which was being used to store clothing and other items.
According to a report from Pine Bluff Police Officer Shamario Johnson, officers found a fence had been cut and when they walked to the back of the building, noticed a pickup truck backed up to the building. When they entered, they saw movement and arrested Shalmy and Sanders, while other officers took off after at least two suspects, who ran.
Pine Bluff Police Sgt. Derrick Price reported that after one of the officers indicated that one of the suspects had fallen into the pit, he contacted the sheriff’s department to see if their dive team would be available. The officer was told the team only dove into fresh water and would not be able to assist.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel then responded and attempted to locate a body in the pit but were unsuccessful.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Office of Emergency Management personnel from both Jefferson and Pulaski Counties then responded and drained the pit but no body was found.
Officer Jeremy Oswalt said in a probable cause affidavit for Shalmy and Sanders that was presented in district court Tuesday that Shalmy and Sanders were attempting to steal clothing items that had been donated to the owner. The owner later told Oswalt that he did not know Shalmy or Sanders and they did not have permission to enter the building or take clothing.
Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set a $10,000 bond for Shalmy and Sanders after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge them with breaking or entering.
Shalmy said he would hire his own attorney and the Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Sanders.