Couple arrested in Putnam County facing Arkansas stabbing charges

A pair of Arkansas residents arrested in Putnam County earlier this month on seemingly innocuous charges were actually wanted in connection with an Arkansas stabbing.

Jeffery Rhoades, 45, and Reddie Rhoades, 57, both of Blytheville, Ark., were booked in the Putnam County Jail on Monday, July 4.

According to Putnam County Jail records, Jeffery Rhoades was arrested on a pair of warrants, while Reddie Rhoades was charged with assisting a criminal.

The real reason for their arrest was more serious than the jail record indicated.

According to Banner Graphic sister paper the Blytheville Courier News, the husband and wife are accused in the stabbing of their former roommate in the early-morning hours of July 4.

A July 5 story reports that the victim had evicted the couple the evening before and they returned after 1 a.m., knocking on the door and forcing her way in.

Blytheville police allege that the Rhoades then held the victim at knifepoint, taking the keys to her car and her purse.

The victim then told police that Jeffery Rhoades began stabbing her in the face and neck before fleeing in her car.

Around 2:30 p.m. the same day, Putnam County deputies located the stolen vehicle -- nearly 400 miles from Blytheville -- following a single-car crash.

Officers arrested Jeffery Rhoades at the scene. They also arrested Reddie Rhoades when she walked up to them while they were taking her husband into custody.

Both were reportedly still wearing bloody clothes at the scene of the accident.

A quick extradition to Arkansas followed, where both Jeffery and Reddie Rhoades were arraigned in Blytheville on July 7, according to a later Courier News story.

Jeffery Rhoades is charged with aggravated residential burglary, theft of property, and battery 2nd. His bond was set at $50,000 cash.

Reddie Rhoades is charged with aggravated residential burglary and theft of property. Her bond was set at $50,000.

Both are scheduled to appear back in court on Aug. 31.