Arkansas State Police are currently seeking a suspect wanted in connection with an armed bank robbery that occurred in Lavaca, Arkansas. The incident took place on the afternoon of February 26, 2026, at the First National Bank of Fort Smith branch located at 400 W. Main St. According to authorities, the individual entered the bank wearing a round-billed fishing hat and large sunglasses. Wielding a pistol, the suspect demanded money from a bank employee and subsequently fled on foot. The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office received a report of the armed robbery at approximately 2:48 p.m., prompting an immediate lockdown of nearby Lavaca schools and a request for residents to avoid the area. Dozens of law enforcement officers, including K9 units, responded to the scene, and the lockdown was lifted by 4:27 p.m. Investigators discovered discarded items consistent with the suspect's attire, including a hat and sunglasses, in a nearby cemetery along the suspect's escape route. DNA testing on the sunglasses matched a profile in the state system, identifying a potential suspect. A search warrant was executed on June 24, 2026, to obtain an oral swab from the identified individual. Arkansas State Police are currently awaiting new test results to confirm the DNA link between the suspect and the evidence. No arrest has been made as of the article's publication on August 16, 2026. The suspect remains at large. Authorities continue to investigate and are urging the public to provide any relevant information that could assist in locating the individual. The Arkansas State Crime Lab is conducting the final verification of the DNA evidence to solidify the case against the suspect.