Fugitive Steve Dishman, 60, was arrested Sunday at his elderly mother’s house in Springdale, AR, after living on the lam for three decades. In 1985, while serving a 7-year Prison sentence for burglary and property theft convictions in Washington County, AR. He escaped as a minimum security inmate from Benton Work Release Center.
He was taken into custody by local law enforcement and Arkansas State Police. Law enforcement located Dishman in a quiet neighborhood after receiving a tip from someone who met him approximately five years after his escape from a prison work release program job site.
Ongoing investigation to find answers about life between escape and arrest
Trooper Elizabeth S. Chapman, who is a spokeswoman for the Arkansas State Police, said the tipster’s information led officers to the home in Springdale, roughly 200 miles from Little Rock. She didn’t explain why the person turned to law enforcement with the tip or how the person knows Dishman.
It is a fluid investigation. Tropper Chapman stated that people who might know Dishman under a different name are being questioned by Arkansas State Police special agents with the Criminal Investigation Division, according to the New York Times.
If he had not escaped, Dishman would have been eligible for parole in 1987. On June 28, 1991, he would have been released.
Neighbors had no idea fugitive was living in the area
The former escapee was known by his mother’s neighbors as peaceful, according to the Fox 24 News, KNWA. He sat on her porch at her duplex and read books. They didn’t know Dishman was an escaped convict.
Springdale resident Tawney Driggs, who lives next to Dishman’s mother, said it is “crazy” that he has been an escaped convict for 32 years and not out on parole.
He had been living with his mother for roughly two weeks.
She described the day of his apprehension as just like any other day. It was quiet until she looked outside her window. That’s when she saw police cars; she told Fox 24. She also said she was recently released from prison and seeing nine police cars zoom by left her feeling scared and shocked.
Due to the statute of limitations, according to the Saline County Prosecutor’s Office, Dishman will have to complete the time remaining on his original sentence, but will not be charged for the escape.
Escapee’s mother says son is ‘good person.'
Dishman’s mother, Shirley Jones, told the Associated Press she has had contact with her son approximately within six months of his escape. Without stating where he had been living or give an indication of the duration, she said he had been living in southern Arkansas.
She characterized her son as very creative, calling him a “good person.” Jones also said her son, who doesn’t have a wife or children, has not had legal problems since his escape.
Jones’ neighbor, Arther Galloway, a Freewill Baptist Minister who had seen the former fugitive across the street, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Galloway thought Jones’ son was helping care for her. He said she has health issues.
Following his arrest, he was taken to the police department in Springdale, booked and remanded to the custody of the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Varner Unit is currently holding Dishman.
Four additional escapees are still eluding authorities in Arkansas, according to Time. They are wanted for such crimes as property theft, receiving property that was stolen, fleeing, and possession of a controlled substance.
