By Roberto Bustamante
Jun 20, 2024, 12:20 PM EDT
A man considered “armed and dangerous” connected to at least two murders in Oklahoma and a series of other crimes across the country was on the loose in Arkansas, so authorities warned residents to stay away if they saw him.
Stacy Lee Drake50, was in the Morrilton, Arkansas, area after he fled Oklahoma following a series of carjackings and two homicides, said Arkansas State Police, which later announced his arrest.
The criminal, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, was wanted for the double murder and also has additional arrest warrants for serious crimes in multiple jurisdictions, with charges that include murder, carjacking and aggravated robberythe police said.
According to a news release from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the bodies of a man and a woman were found at a business Tuesday afternoon near State Highway 64 and 4670 South Street in Gans, Oklahoma, about 25 kilometers from the state border with Arkansas.
Authorities have not revealed the identities of the victims, but the woman’s relatives identified her as Tara Barnett-Underwooda mother who worked at LaFerry Propane when she was murdered, according to 2 News Oklahoma.
“He’s still on the run, I feel like I’m in a horror movie right now.“His sister Tia Barnett previously told the local station. “I feel sad, scared and a little desperate, hoping we get justice for this and for my sister. “She deserves it, her children deserve it,” she added.
No additional details about the murders were revealed. However, Oklahoma officials said Drake stole a vehicle from the location which he used to drive to Morrilton.
Drake, who has a violent criminal record dating back to 1994, had last been seen walking outside a motel in Morrilton and then buying camping equipment.
Prior to his arrest, state police warned anyone who saw him to stay away and call 911 immediately.
Keep reading:
– Subject considered armed and dangerous is wanted by the Los Angeles police.
– A dangerous fugitive who escaped after a planned attack on an Idaho hospital is captured.