Benton Man Caught Breaking in at Saline Co. Road Dept.

BENTON, AR -- A Benton man is back behind bars after police caught him in a building he had broken into.

Benton Police say officers responded to a business alarm at the Saline County Road Department just after 12:30 Thursday morning.

As officers arrived, they found 41-year-old Homer Smith inside with a flashlight, who tried to run from the building after spotting the officers.

Further investigation revealed that the fence around the property had been cut and a smaller storage building had also been broken into.

Smith, a parolee out of the Department of Community Corrections, was taken into custody and charged with commercial burglary, two counts of breaking or entering, theft of property and possession of an instrument of crime, according to police.

He was transported to the Saline County Detention Facility for processing.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and further charges could be forthcoming in the case.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS.

Individuals also may send an anonymous tip to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com and submit a tip there.