Stolen church van recovered, one arrest

HOPE – On the 12th of July 2025, at 10:47 am, Hempstead County Sheriff’s Deputies Reed and Garner were dispatched to 314 Highway 332 East in reference to a stolen church van from the White Oak Grove church.

On July 16, 2025, deputies arrested David Leroy Hill, age 48, of Hope in connection with the theft. Hill was transported to the Hempstead County Detention Center where he is being held for Breaking or Entering, Theft of Property, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Parole Violation. Hill is awaiting a First Court Appearance.

Hempstead County investigators Lt. Gary Dorman and Sgt. Jeremy McBride recovered the church van on Thursday July 17, 2025, in a wooded area in the Delight, Arkansas area. The van suffered damage and will be processed and returned to the church.