Tammy Curtis, from interviews with Fulton County Sheriff’s Jake Smith and Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell
ORIGINAL POST – 4:20 p.m Feb. 18, 2025
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department is currently searching for a suspect who escaped police custody in the late night of Feb. 17 or early morning hours of Feb. 18 at 438 Griffin Road in Hardy in Fulton County.
According to Fulton County Sheriff Jake Smith, a Fulton County deputy responded to a domestic call at the residence and Douglas Zuel, 39, of Hardy was arrested. While on the scene, an Arkansas Crime Information Check and check through Sharp County Central Dispatch revealed Zuel had an active felony warrant out of Sharp County for theft of property and fleeing. Zuel was placed in custody in the back of the Fulton County patrol vehicle. According to Fulton County Sheriff Jake Smith, Zuel escaped through the divider and fled on foot.
A sighting of a man believed to be Zuel, walking near Slick Rock Road was made around 9 this morning But, at this time, he has not been re-apprehended by police and is believed to still be in the area.
If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Douglas Zuel, you’re asked to contact the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department at 870-895-2601 or 911.
Court records indicate Zuel has been arrested on domestic charges in the past and theft. In 2023, Zuel was arrested for several misdemeanors, including trespassing, theft of property and criminal mischief as well as felony breaking and entering. The case came after Zuel allegedly broke into a residence in Cherokee Village in June of 2023 where video footage of a person believed to be him was reviewed by police. His bond was set at $50,000 in that case, which is not yet adjudicated.
A second felony case for breaking and entering against Zuel was filed in Nov. of 2023 after a search warrant at Zuel’s Griffin Road address resulted in the discovery of stolen items from a burglary reported in Cherokee Village. Neither of the cases have been adjudicated and Zuel was out on bond pending future court appearances in both and failed to appear for court, leading to the failure to appear charges in Sharp County.
The Spring River Chronicle will post any updates on our Facebook and this page when, and as they become available from law enforcement.
