Fugitive Captured: Tracked to Abandoned Residence in Walthall County

An exhaustive search in Washington Parish and Walthall County, Mississippi, on April 29 and April 30 resulted in the capture of fugitive Rodney Wayne Smith, a fugitive from Pearl River County, Mississippi. 

After his escape from bail bond agents who initially captured him at his residence on Highway 436 in Washington Parish, Smith led Washington Parish officers on a high-speed chase until he wrecked his stolen vehicle and fled into the woods. Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, accompanied by a canine team from Rayburn Correctional Center, followed Smith’s trail but were unable to locate him.

The search continued throughout the day April 30 with Walthall County deputies, Washington Parish deputies and Rayburn officers. The AR15 Smith had stolen earlier was located in a barn in Walthall County. The pursuit of Smith carried on until late in the evening when Smith was tracked to an abandoned residence on Dexter Road in Walthall County. An unarmed Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Walthall County Jail where he is being held with holds from both Washington Parish and Pearl River County.

A Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy who was part of the pursuit team commented, “I can’t tell you how many fences we jumped as we followed Smith’s trail, but we never gave up.”

“You might run and you might hide, but eventually we will find you,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “Walthall County Sheriff Kyle Breland and his officers, along with the fine officers and canines from Rayburn Correctional Center were invaluable allies in the search for Smith. We are so grateful for their assistance and how ironic that the abandoned house where Smith was located belongs to a Mississippi law enforcement officer.”