On October 15, 2025, Bryan Arnold of Lebanon was arrested after a several-hour manhunt resulting in numerous felony charges, which included felony fleeing arrest, resulting in his incarceration in the Douglas County Jail.
On November 4, 2025, the court ordered Arnold to be released from the Douglas County Jail on his own recognizance to attend a faith-based recovery program, which he never attended.
On November 7, 2025, at approximately 2130 hours, the Ava Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call of an armed robbery at Murphy’s gas station near Walmart. The suspect fled, resulting in Sheriff Degase, Sgt. Box and Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Gabe Stroud and Officers from the Ava Police Department chasing leads as sightings came in throughout the night.
At approximately 0400 hours, Arnold went to a residence west of Ava, where he knocked on the door asking for water. Sheriff Degase and Law Enforcement surrounded the area. Deputy Dalton Martin and Deputy Greg Martin located the suspect with a drone as Law enforcement converged on Arnold.
As Sheriff Degase, Sgt. Box and Law enforcement in the woods closed distance on Arnold, he fired a single shot at them.
Sheriff Degase began giving verbal commands for Arnold to surrender, resulting in him placing his hand in the air, which could be confirmed by the drone that he was complying with the directives.
Arnold was taken into custody by Sheriff Degase and Sgt. Box without further incident.
At the time of the arrest, the firearm used by Arnold to shoot at Law Enforcement was not located. Law Enforcement reviewed the drone footage, where they observed what appeared to be Arnold throwing and hiding something near a tree. On the afternoon of November 8, 2025, Sheriff Degase, Sgt. Box and Sgt. Stroud returned to the area observed by drone footage, where they located the magazine and bullets for the weapon, and also found the weapon hidden in a tree.
Sheriff Degase stated, “ This was a 6.5 hour manhunt. It was a great team effort by everyone involved: the Ava PD, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Citizens of Douglas County. We are fortunate that no one was injured. I would also like to thank the Citizens of Ava and Douglas County for all the calls and tips on this case. I hope that Mr. Arnold never sees the light of day again, but if he does, maybe he has learned not to run from the law in Douglas County and takes his activities elsewhere. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Ava Police Department are committed to protecting the Citizens of Douglas County and the City of Ava.”
A warrant was obtained for Bryan Arnold for 7 counts of 1st Degree Assault on Law enforcement, 8 counts of Armed Criminal Action and resisting arrest for a felony. NO BOND was set in this case.
Sgt. Stroud of the Ava PD is investigating the armed robbery at Murphy’s gas station and will be requesting additional charges.
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