By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
A Little Rock man was arrested Monday night after allegedly shoplifting from the Cabot Walmart Supercenter, fleeing from police until rolling his Chevy Suburban on the Hwy. 5 off-ramp. Four young children in the vehicle — two of them his own — were transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where they are being treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Christopher Carver, 28, of Little Rock was charged with two counts of kidnapping, fleeing, second-degree battery and four counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, all felonies, as well as shoplifting, a misdemeanor. He was cited for reckless driving.
Carver had his first appearance in Lonoke County Circuit Court on Tuesday. He was given $100,000 bond and held at the Lonoke County Detention Center.
According to Cabot police, officers were called to the Walmart Supercenter, 304 S. Rockwood Road at 7:42 p.m. for a shoplifter who was fleeing from a store loss-prevention officer. Carver got into a gold Suburban in the parking lot. He drove north on South Rockwood to Hwy. 89. Police activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Carver continued on to Hwy. 67/167 South toward Jacksonville with officers in pursuit.
Carver was speeding as he took the Cabot Exit 16 off-ramp, losing control as the Suburban flipped and landed in a ditch at the side of the road.
Police assisted four children out of the SUV and gave them first aid until MEMS arrived. They were transported to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.
Carver was transported to North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville for his minor injuries. He was released from the hospital and transported to the Cabot Police Department for booking.