A Mountain Home man with a lengthy criminal record was arrested in Saline County after leading a deputy on a foot chase while carrying a machete. The incident occurred on Oct. 23 in the Hensley area, where Saline County Sheriff’s Deputy James Driver encountered James Andrew Caple, age 43, during a patrol stop.
According to court documents, Deputy Driver noticed two vehicles parked along Interstate 530/Highway 167, partially blocking a lane of traffic. Believing it might be a wreck, he activated his emergency lights. As he approached, a white male later identified as Caple exited one of the vehicles—a green 1999 Chevy Malibu—and fled on foot, carrying a large blade.
The deputy gave verbal commands for Caple to stop and drop the weapon. Caple dropped what was identified as a machete and ran, crossing all four lanes of Highway 167. Deputy Driver deployed his taser, but only one barb made contact. Caple slipped while trying to climb an embankment, allowing the deputy to take him into custody without further incident.
There is more to the story below, but first, see the list of Caple’s multiple court cases:
The car Caple fled from had been reported stolen the day before in Mountain Home. The vehicle’s owner told police she last saw it the evening of Oct. 21 and reported it missing from her home on East 10th Street the next afternoon.
Caple was charged in Saline County with theft by receiving, fleeing on foot, and carrying a weapon. He pleaded guilty and served a one-month sentence in the Saline County Jail. After his release, he was transferred to the Baxter County Detention Center, where he now faces a felony theft of property charge. Bond in that case is set at $5,000.
Caple has 17 prior felony arrests dating back to 2002 and is currently under active supervision with Arkansas Community Corrections.
The Current Booking Info at Baxter County Sheriff’s Office is # 20251951 Age: 43 Gender: Male Race: White Address: Mountain Home, AR Arresting Agency: Baxter County Sheriff Booking Date: 12-09-2025 – 12:46 PM Prior BXSO Bookings: 20 Charges: Theft Of Property-Class D Felony Bond: $5,000.00 Original Court Date: 01-05-2026 – 9:30 AM Note: The charges and bail amounts may change after court appearances and may not be current. Bond companies and persons wishing to post bail should contact the Detention Center staff at 870.425.7000 for correct bail amount, charges and case numbers.
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