BENTONVILLE — Police arrested a man Tuesday in connection with hindering apprehension or prosecution in the investigation of two missing Bentonville women.
Louise Bishop, 81, and her daughter Christina Bishop, 40, were last seen June 18. Police arrested Christina Bishop’s son after he provided inconsistent statements during the investigation, according to a news release.
Police identified the son as Nicolas J. Johansen, 18, of 15226 Sugar Creek Road in Garfield. Benton County Jail records spell his name Nicholas.
Police arrested Johansen at his place of work, which is a manufacturing plant on Old Wire Road in Rogers, Bentonville Police Chief James Allen said.
Other details of his arrest weren’t available because the investigation is ongoing, according to the release.
Family members hope the arrest will bring answers, said George Skupien, Louise Bishop’s nephew. They would like to bring the Bishops home if they’re alive or give them a proper Christian burial if they’re not, he said.
Skupien doesn’t know much about Johansen, he said. Christina Bishop had children but divorced their father when Johansen was young. The father gained custody of the children, Skupien said.
Surveillance footage shows the Bishops leaving Sam’s Club in Bentonville in their black pickup June 18. Skupien spoke with both by phone that night. That was the last known contact with them. Police suspect foul play in their disappearance.
On June 20 Skupien went to the Bishops’ home, 2910 S.E. “J” St. He found the dog cowering in the corner, boxed groceries on the counter, the door unlocked and the alarm off.
Police recovered the Bishops’ pickup in August. It sat for some time in the parking lot of Hots, a club in McDonald County, Mo. Bentonville police sent the pickup to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for tests. They’re still awaiting the results, Allen said Tuesday.
Family members are offering up to $25,000 for information regarding the Bishops’ whereabouts. People can call police with tips or send them to reward@mail.com.
Johansen was being held Tuesday in the Benton County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.
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