Reward yet unclaimed in search for suspect, age 16

By Rupert Howell
Weekend traffic reports compiled by Batesville Police Department indicate 76 traffic violation tickets issued and 20 arrests made according to BPD Assistant Chief Kerry Pittman who said otherwise it was a “pretty quiet” Easter Weekend.
Pittman did emphasize Monday an earlier warning by the U.S. Marshalls’ Service that persons involved with providing assistance such as food or shelter to murder suspect Condarius D. Strong would be charged with a crime.
“Anybody helping the 16-year-old will be charged,” Pittman said which reflected previous statements from deputy U. S. Marshall Clint Roberson with the Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force.
A $2,500 reward has been offered for information leading to Strong’s arrest and conviction.
Strong is a suspect in the March 2 shooting death of Roary Ledell Thomas in Batesville on Bradford Street near Hoskins Road.
Nakia Lamar has been charged with capital murder in the shooting death and waived his rights to a preliminary hearing during the March 22 session of Batesville Municipal Court.
Earlier Roberson said, “Somebody is providing him (Strong) with food and shelter . . . We’re going to prosecute.”
A lone weekend incident report from BPD stated that Patrolman Justin Davis was summoned to Days Inn on Power Drive where he met with the owner who reported two vending machines had been broken into and money taken between the hours of 3-7p.m. Sunday.
Davis’ report stated locks had been cut off and money in the amount of $250 was missing.