According to a press release from the Ft. Smith, Arkansas Police Department an investigator has obtained a warrant for the arrest of Michael Eugene Smith on the charge of Aggravated Robbery.
According to the release on December 2, 2014, just before 9:00 pm, Fort Smith Police responded to a church parking located in the 4000 block of South 18th Street. Responding officers found forty-nine (49) year-old Rajesh Ballash, who had beaten, stabbed, and robbed. Mr. Ballash was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.
Mr. Ballash told investigators that he had been at the Choctaw Casino in Pocola, Oklahoma and had won a small jackpot. Soon after winning, he was approached by a female who invited him to her house. Upon leaving, they were accompanied by a male and two other females. He reported leaving with the suspects in a black SUV, and after stopping in a church parking lot, all four suspects began beating him. The male suspect allegedly stabbed Mr. Ballash in the abdomen. The suspects took his wallet and cell phone, and then left him in the parking lot.
Surveillance footage from the casino was shown to local Parole Officers who immediately identified one of the female suspects as 46 year-old Brenda Corley. Corley was located, interviewed, and arrested on the charges of Aggravated Robbery and Parole Violation. During the interview with Ms. Corley, the two additional female suspects were identified as thirty-four (34) year old Kimberly Martindale, and twenty-six (26) year-old Evelynn Woodward. Ms. Martindale and Ms. Woodward were located and interviewed regarding their involvement. The interview led to the identity of the male suspect, thirty-five (35) year-old Michael Eugene Smith, a parolee out of Texarkana, Arkansas. Ms. Martindale was arrested on the charge of Aggravated Robbery, and Ms. Woodward was arrested on the charges of Aggravated Robbery and Parole Violation.
Anyone with information about Michael Eugene Smith or his whereabouts should call the Fort Smith Police Department at (479) 709-5100 or 911.
