Michael Roy Thompson

     A parolee from the Arkansas prison system was arrested Tuesday evening, February 13th, on multiple charges after deputies responded to a report of a structure fire at 764 Buzzard Roost Cutoff that was reported at 10:16 PM.

     The victim reported that the fire had been started by MICHAEL ROY THOMPSON, 49 years old of rural Mountain Home, who is currently on parole.  According to statements from parties involved, THOMPSON and his girlfriend had gone out together earlier in the evening.  They began to quarrel.  When they came back to the residence, the girlfriend hid in the woods because she was afraid of THOMPSON.  It was alleged that THOMPSON then used force to break into the girlfriend’s vehicle, causing damage to it.  The girlfriend and another woman who resides at the residence then observed THOMPSON set fire to a something that was near a shed on the property and called 9-1-1 to report the fire. 

     MICHAEL THOMPSON fled from the residence in a vehicle before deputies or fire fighters arrived.  A short time later, THOMPSON was located on the Hwy 62/412 bypass by Mountain Home City Police Officers and stopped. 

     During the investigation, it was determined that THOMPSON had started a fire in a plastic tote near the shed, but the shed did not sustain any damage as a result of the fire. 

     The girlfriend also reported to deputies that THOMPSON had assaulted her the previous evening as well, and that she had sustained injuries during that incident.  There was evidence present to substantiate that complaint.

     MICHAEL THOMPSON was taken to the Detention Center for processing.  Afterwards, he was escorted by a Jailer over to the Criminal Investigation Division building to be interviewed.  After the interview was concluded, the Jailer began to escort THOMPSON back to the Detention Center.  During this process, THOMPSON fled on foot toward Hickory Street.  He was pursued by the Jailer and by two other deputies and was quickly captured a short distance away.  During this apprehension, the Jailer, Corporal Austin Morrison, sustained minor injuries to his person.  He was treated for those injuries at Baxter Regional Medical Center.

     MICHAEL THOMPSON, who has been on parole since December 29, 2017, was booked on charges of:

Arson – Felony
Breaking or Entering – Felony
Escape in the First Degree – Felony
Criminal Mischief in the First Degree – Misdemeanor
Domestic Battery in the Third Degree – Misdemeanor

     THOMPSON has a bond of $12,500 on these charges and will appear in the Circuit Court to answer on February 15th.  He will also likely have a no bond hold placed for violating parole. THOMPSON has been booked into the Baxter County Detention Center a total of 9 times since 2007.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff