Hoxie Woman Arrested After Camaro Stolen From Hospital, Police Say

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Hoxie woman was arrested after police said a Chevrolet Camaro was stolen from Baptist Memorial Hospital and later involved in a hit-and-run crash in Paragould.

Brittany L. Cox, 32, of Hoxie, was arrested on suspicion of theft of property, a Class C felony, and failure to stop after an accident, a misdemeanor, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Paragould Police Department.

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Police said officers were first dispatched May 2 to Baptist Memorial Hospital, 900 W. Kingshighway, in reference to an uncooperative patient who was being discharged. Officers made contact with Cox, who reportedly said she was not leaving. The affidavit says officers escorted Cox off the property and told her not to return.

About 30 minutes later, a blue Chevrolet Camaro was involved in a hit-and-run crash near West Mueller Street and Linwood Drive, police said. Witnesses reported the Camaro ran a red light, struck another vehicle and fled the scene. Witnesses described the driver as a younger white female with blonde hair and a pink hat, and said the vehicle might have damage to the driver’s side rear.

Several hours later, an employee of Baptist Memorial Hospital reported their blue Chevrolet Camaro had been stolen earlier in the day, according to the affidavit. Police reviewed surveillance footage and reported it showed Cox stealing the vehicle about 20 minutes after she had been removed from the hospital.

Information about the stolen vehicle was sent to the Hoxie Police Department, which located the vehicle being driven in Hoxie, police said. Officers conducted a traffic stop and reported Cox was the driver and sole occupant. Officers also noted what appeared to be fresh damage to the driver’s side rear of the car.

Cox was transferred back to the Paragould Police Department. The affidavit says she declined to make a statement but was still wearing a pink hat.

Judge Curtis Hitt set Cox’s bail at $35,000 cash or surety and issued a no-contact order.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.