LONOKE, AR - Sheriff's Deputies are looking for Lonoke County's most wanted. 26-year-old Charles Seigrist is considered armed and dangerous and is
suspected of ramming a deputy's vehicle during a high speed chase last week.
Deputies are hoping Seigrist will turn himself in after investigators have been using social media to communicate with him.
Lonoke detectives are using Facebook to connect with suspects themselves, or with their families and friends. The idea is to convince people like Seigrist to work with detectives to end the search peacefully, so no one gets hurt.
Seigrist is wanted on felony theft, aggravated assault on a police officer, and possession of a firearm. After last week's high speed chase, Seigrist is also accused of ramming a deputy's car and stealing a truck. Deputies found a 22 rifle, prying tools, and drug paraphernalia inside.
Detectives say they're close to bringing Seigrist in thanks to the help of Facebook. Chief Deputy Dean White with the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office says Facebook allows suspects to communicate without committing.
Chief Deputy Dean White says law enforcement are turning to social media as an extra tool to communicate, and use Facebook to share information and gather leads on where suspects could be. "They think we're going to find them on their cell phone or if they use a land line we'll get an address, so they'll use social media instead."
Detectives can see who criminals are communicating with and even share information with other departments, which is especially helpful when they think a suspect has fled the area. Chief Deputy Dean White says Facebook status updates can help narrow the search. "We've had suspects leave the state and communicate with their friends saying they've left the state. A quick call to state police in another state and we find them."
Lonoke deputies are asking anyone with any information on Seigrist to please contact them.
