On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Arkansas State Police (ASP) apprehended Richard Dewayne Pope, a fugitive wanted for a series of violent felonies, in Eudora. Pope, 40, of Oak Grove, Louisiana, had been the subject of a nationwide alert and was considered dangerous due to his extensive criminal history.
According to ASP, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office alerted authorities that Pope was believed to be traveling through Chicot County on a motorcycle. Troopers quickly responded to the tip and located Pope around 7:30 p.m. at a convenience store along Highway 65 South in Eudora.
The arrest was made without incident, and Pope was transported to the Drew County Detention Center, where he is currently being held pending extradition to Louisiana.
Pope is facing a lengthy list of felony charges, including:
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Six counts of Second-Degree Attempted Murder
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Six counts of Impeding a Witness
- Insurance Fraud
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Aggravated Arson
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Obstruction of Justice Due to Evidence Destruction
In addition to the current charges, Pope also has a prior arrest for aggravated assault with a firearm.
Authorities credited swift communication between state agencies and alert law enforcement work for Pope’s safe and efficient capture.
