Texarkana Police Captain Assaulted by Shoplifter

On November 19, 2015 at approximately 11 a.m. a Texarkana, Texas Police Captain Joe Bunting was at a local business in the 4400 block of West 7th Street when he saw Kacey Ray Palmer, 32, exit the business pushing a shopping cart containing several stolen items and being chased by store employees. Bunting attempted to arrest Palmer and a struggle ensued. The struggle continued as Palmer got into his vehicle and drove away causing Bunting to fall from the vehicle and suffer minor injuries.

Following an extensive search, coordinated with the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office and the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department, Palmer was located and arrested in the 2000 block of Shady Pines Road. He has been charged with Theft, Assault on a Public Servant, Resisting Arrest, and Evading Arrest with a Vehicle, and he is currently being held in the Bi-State Criminal Justice Center Jail awaiting bond.

Bunting was treated and released at a local medical facility and has returned to work. All of the stolen items, including seven cases of beer and a package of dog food, were recovered at the business.