Holly MatkinBatesville, AR – The convicted felon accused of shooting a Texas police officer early last week has been apprehended following a multi-state manhunt.
U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement apprehended 43-year-old Royce Wood and 32-year-old Tiffany Caswell outside a Batesville motel on Thursday morning, WFAA reported.
Investigators received a tip that led them to the suspects’ location, according to police.
Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said police also found methamphetamine hidden in Wood’s motorcycle when he was arrested, WFAA reported.
The duo was initially wanted for their alleged involvement in a home invasion that took place in Rhome, Texas on June 12, WFAA reported at the time.
The following day, the Rhome Police Department (RPD) received a tip that Wood was in the area riding on a motorcycle with a female passenger, Sheriff Akin said.
RPD officers spotted him near Highway 287 and tried to stop him, at which point Wood jumped off of his motorcycle and took off running, according to the sheriff.
When officers pursued him on foot, Wood opened fire on them, hitting one of the officers in the lower leg, Sheriff Akin said.
The shooter escaped into the woods and remained on the loose for nearly two weeks prior to his arrest in Arkansas on Thursday morning.
A Blue Alert was issued on June 14, but police discontinued it on Wednesday afternoon because too many people were calling to complain about the alert coming up on their cell phones early in the morning and late at night, WFAA reported.
#UPDATE: The search is over for the man accused of shooting a Rhome police officer earlier this month. Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin says U.S. Marshall's in Batesville, Arkansas arrested Royce Wood and his girlfriend, Tiffany Caswell, this morning. pic.twitter.com/pzMInSLmhK
— Nicole Osei (@NicOseiNews) June 24, 2021
The woman who had been riding the motorcycle with Wood at the time of the shooting was taken into custody but was later released, WFAA reported.
The wounded officer was rushed to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, KXAS reported.
He is expected to recover.
“We’re exceedingly fortunate,” Sheriff Akin said, according to WFAA. “We’re very happy that the officer’s doing well. We feel pretty good about his condition.”
He’s expected to return to duty soon, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) told WFAA on Thursday morning.
“We deeply appreciate the efforts of our good citizens, the absolute tireless dedication of WCSO, Rhome PD, state and local law enforcement officers, and first responders,” the WCSO said in a statement. “Special thanks to the U.S. Marshals and Texas Rangers for their relentless work ethic and helping us bring this search to conclusion.”
Wood has been charged with aggravated robbery for the home invasion and aggravated assault on a public servant for the shooting, the Star-Telegram reported.
Caswell has been charged with aggravated robbery for her role in the home invasion, Sheriff Akin said.
MANHUNT OVER: Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin confirms Royce Wood and Tiffany Caswell were arrested this morning at a Batesville, Arkansas motel.
Wood, 43, is accused of shooting a Rhome police officer on June 14.
Pictures and full press release from Wise County @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/WMOfNeC9UU
— Lili Zheng (@LiliNBC5) June 24, 2021
According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Wood served time in prison after being convicted of burglary of a habitation and robbery, WFAA reported.
He was released in 2019, after serving just half of his 10-year sentence.
The Texas Board of Pardon and Parole said the early release was granted because Wood “maintained a satisfactory institutional adjustment,” according to WFAA.
Sandy Malone
