On Tuesday January 28, 2020 at approximately 4:44 AM former employee of Southern Chip Mill in Perry was caught by employees trying to steal over $9,500.00 worth of tools. The disgruntled employee (Rueben Emerson 28 years old of Morrilton) also rammed a current employees new pick-up trying to get away. Emerson was able to get away but was followed into Morrilton where Morrilton Police caught him and detained him until Sgt. Keenan Carter was able to get there and arrest him. Emerson was charged with Commercial Burglary, a class C felony, Theft of Property, a class C felony, and Aggravated Assault, a class D felony. Emerson is being held in the Perry County Detention Center on $100,000.00 cash or professional bond.

Dakota Wiley, Keith Stone, Jonathan Weiss, and other employees are credited with catching Emerson. Sheriff Montgomery stated that "without these employees stepping up for what's right this case possibly wouldn't have been solved".