Michael David Hamilton

Update:  02/13/2014

     The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office was notified early this morning that 34 year old MICHAEL DAVID HAMILTON has been arrested and taken into custody by authorities in Gulf Port, Mississippi after a man-hunt there.  MICHAEL HAMILTON was wanted by Baxter County following an assault and disturbance in the Buford area that sent four people to the hospital in the early morning hours of February 9^th as previously reported. 

     HAMILTON had fled from the scene of the assault before Baxter County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived.  Although deputies searched the area, including several barns, outbuildings, and parked vehicles in the vicinity, as well as contacting other nearby residents, HAMILTON was not located.  The Sheriff’s Office obtained a bench warrant for the arrest of MICHAEL HAMILTON on February 11^th, charging him with Aggravated Robbery, Battery in the First Degree, three counts of Battery in the Second Degree, and Theft of Property.  HAMILTON was also the suspect in the theft of a motor vehicle that occurred later in the morning of February 9^th at a nearby residence.  Both HAMILTON and the stolen vehicle had been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as wanted by Baxter County, and Sheriff’s Investigators had been following up on leads since the incidents occurred.

     The Sheriff’s Office was contacted this morning by law enforcement authorities in Gulf Port, Mississippi.  According to general information supplied by the Gulf Port Police Department, MICHAEL HAMILTON was arrested by Gulf Port Police Officers and Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies at approximately 6:00 AM this morning.  Officers in Mississippi began searching for HAMILTON after he was identified as a suspect in a series of serious crimes that were committed early in the morning.  HAMILTON apparently concealed himself inside “Academy Sports” in Gulf Port, Mississippi.  Officers responded to an alarm at that business around 3:30 AM.  They found that locks and chains used to secure firearms had been cut, and several firearms had been stolen from the store.  The 2007 Red Dodge truck stolen from Baxter County was found in the parking lot. 

     Shortly thereafter, officers responded to a nearby RV Park where the owners had been held at gunpoint, tied up, and their vehicle stolen.  Following that incident, officers responded to a nearby commercial chemical company where persons there had also been held at gunpoint, tied up, and yet another vehicle stolen.

     Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies and Gulf Port Police Officers found the stolen vehicle that HAMILTON was driving and initiated a traffic stop.  Baxter County was informed that MICHAEL HAMILTON was taken into custody during this stop without further incident.  It was reported that no persons were injured during the multiple serious crimes committed by HAMILTON this morning. 

     Mississippi authorities anticipate filing up to ten felony charges against MICHAEL HAMILTON, including Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, and Theft.  He will be held at the Harrison County Jail.  A hold will be placed for Baxter County on the outstanding bench warrant.  It is unlikely that HAMILTON will be returned to Arkansas to face those Baxter County charges for quite some time.

Original Press Release 02/10/2014 below:

     The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a disturbance and assault that took place at 136 CR 1073 in the Buford community in the early morning hours of February 9^th and is looking for a suspect on felony charges in connection with the incident.

     At approximately 3:05 AM on February 9^th, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call placed to the 911 Center from a neighbor reporting a disturbance at 136 CR 1073.  Deputies arrived on scene at approximately 3:22 AM and found the electricity off at the residence.  Upon making entry, deputies found a female locked inside a bathroom.  No other persons were inside the residence at that time.  Deputies observed damage to the residence, indicating a fight or altercation had taken place.  The electric meter had also been damaged.

     Upon speaking with this female, she related to deputies what had taken place.  According to this woman, there were a total of five persons staying at the residence, including a house guest she identified as MICHAEL HAMILTON.  During the night, HAMILTON woke the woman up and told her the power was off.  When she got up, he allegedly attacked her with a metal pipe and struck her several times before she was able to take refuge in the bathroom and lock the door.  MICHAEL HAMILTON then reportedly attacked the three other people inside the residence, being one female and two males.  One male and one female victim escaped out a window and ran into the woods.  HAMILTON allegedly gave chase, but then returned to the residence.  By the time deputies arrived, HAMILTON had fled the scene.   The second male victim, although injured, was able to drive his vehicle to the neighbor’s residence. 

     Deputies called for an ambulance from Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home.  The male victim who drove to the neighbor’s house was the most seriously injured, and he was transported by ambulance to the BRMC emergency room.  The other three victims went to the hospital by private vehicle.  The names of the victims are not being released at this time.

     The Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking the whereabouts of 34 year old MICHAEL DAVID HAMILTON, whose last known address was in Yellville, Arkansas.  Deputies tracked HAMILTON’s foot prints in the snow to a roadway where the trail stopped.  HAMILTON is believed to have fled the area that morning.  A vehicle was reported stolen to the Sheriff’s Office around 9:00 AM from a residence on nearby Baxter CR 632.  This stolen vehicle is a 2007 Red Dodge SQ3 4 door flat bed truck with a chrome brush guard and a diamond tool box, bearing Arkansas License No. 376NHF.  HAMILTON is suspected to be involved in this vehicle theft.  Sheriff’s Investigators are in the process of obtaining a felony bench warrant for his arrest on charges of felony Battery in the Second Degree and other charges.  Any persons having information as to the location of MICHAEL HAMILTON are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office. 

     The incident is remains under active investigation, and it was noted in the report that a quantity of drugs and drug paraphernalia were found inside the house.  The filing of additional charges is probable.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff