Alleged car burglar asks for handout when confronted about crime

Felony charges were filed this week against an Arkadelphia man accused of breaking into a vehicle in August.

According to a probable cause affidavit released this week, 75-year-old Shaquille Murphy was arrested on the morning of Aug. 27, 2022, shortly after a Haddock Street man phoned police to report he had watched as a man broke into his parked vehicle.

Arkadelphia Police Department dispatchers relayed the suspect’s description to responding officers, who then located Murphy walking at the 300 block of North 14th Street. The victim told police he was inside his home when the burglary occurred; he happened to be walking by a window and saw the suspect “walk up [the victim’s] driveway and open the passenger door to his vehicle.”

The victim said he went outside and confronted Murphy, who, rather than fleeing the scene, inquired whether he could have some money. Murphy was denied the handout and left the area on foot. The affidavit notes that Murphy’s comments to police corroborated that he had asked the victim for money, although he denied entering the vehicle.

Murphy was arrested at the scene and transported to the Clark County Detention Center.