BENTONVILLE -- Centerton Police Chief Cody Harper apologized Friday night for the mistaken arrest of a Fayetteville High School football player earlier in the week.
Terrance Rock, 18, of Fayetteville was arrested Tuesday in connection with residential burglary and theft of property, both felonies. He was released from the Benton County jail the next day on a $10,000 bond.
"The Centerton Police Department is currently working to resolve the arrest of Mr. Rock as he has not committed or been implicated in the crime he was arrested," Harper said in a news release. "The Centerton Police Department apologizes to Mr. Rock, his family and the Fayetteville Athletic Department for this mistaken identity."
Lance Cox, Rock's attorney, said Friday morning Rock was innocent and the arrest was a mistake.
"It's not him," Cox said. "There's a 100 percent chance that they arrested the wrong guy. I'll give up my law license if that doesn't turn out to be true."
Cox spoke with a Benton County deputy prosecutor about the issue Friday morning. Bryan Sexton, deputy prosecutor, said Friday afternoon additional information had been provided to the prosecutor's office and that information was given to Centerton police.
Rock's arrest came from an incident in September where a Centerton man claimed Rock and two juveniles stole items from his home, according to a probable cause affidavit. The man reported stolen speakers, a cellphone charger and two watches, according to the affidavit.
Harper said in the news release the man's child identified one of the juveniles by name and the other two via Instagram.
Harper said in the news release a juvenile came forward after Rock's arrest and reported his guilt to a football team staff member. The juvenile has a similar physical appearance as Rock, the release stated.
-- Tracy Neal
Sports on 11/19/2016