POLICE BEAT

A reported hit-an-run accident led to driving while intoxicatedthird offense and a hit-and-run charge on Kevin W. Smith, 38, of Lexa. A Sheridan woman said she was following a Ford F-150 pickup truck after it hit her Pontiac Grand Am on West Sardis Road.

The sheriff's department said the pickup was traveling "at a veryslow rate of speed" before stopping. Smith said he has been staying with friends in central Arkansas.

He said he'd had six beers at Applebee's and was driving to East End. He tested 0.201 breath-alcohol content at Saline County jail.

After observing a vehicle drive off the shoulder on West Sardis Road, a Saline County Sheriff's Department deputy stopped Jeremiah Allen of Maple Creek Farms, East End.

Allen allegedly dropped an object out the window before stopping. It was later found to contain pills and suspected marijuana.

Allen, who admitted having "a few drinks," tested 0.13 on a portable breathalyzer machine, and was taken to Saline County jail, where he was charged with driving while intoxicated.

A drunk-driving charge resulted while emergency personnel were at the site of a collision with a gas main on Salem Road.

A vehicle ran into the main and was later engulfed in flames.

A deputy sheriff saw a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup fail to turn off on the Pebble Lake Road detour, and jumped out of the way to avoid getting struck. The driver was allegedly drinking a Samuel Adams beer and looked right at the officer.

Emergency personnel surrounded the truck, and the driver attempted to turn around.

Christopher S. Persinger, 38, of Cindy Drive, Benton, "verysharply" refused a breathalyzer test, and was cited for driving while intoxicated, failure to obey a law enforcement officer, driving left of center, drinking in public and refusal to submit to chemical testing.

A passenger who had been drinking was released to a relative.

While working a sobriety checkpoint, sheriff's officers cited Michael Colvin, 36, of Birchwood, Benton, with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, endangering the welfare of a minor and driving on a suspended license.

A young child was asleep in the vehicle's rear seat.

A Texas man was cited with multiple charges after being stopped on U.S. Highway 70 near Interstate 30.

The eastbound vehicle was driving an estimated 41 miles per hour in a 55 zone. Larry Sample, 56, of Tomball, Texas, tested 0.26 on a portable breathalyzer, and was cited for DWI, careless and prohibited driving, refusal to submit to a test and driving on a a suspended license.

A Benton woman was arrested after admitting she took about $200 from her register at a Salem store. Donna Blake, 36, of Hussy Lane was cited for misdemeanor theft of property.

Almitis Inc. staff said someone stole two junction boxes, a water pump and copper wire. Loss: $2,500.

Congo Baptist Church reported someone turned on the baptistry water. It was only 4 inches from overflowing when discovered.

Some 20 cans of baby formula were reportedly stolen from the Benton Wal-Mart. An employee said he saw the cans concealed in a 13-gallon trash can at the door, but the suspect ran to a green Chevrolet pickup truck and drove off.