OC deputies help in two-day manhunt for a Douglas County man suspected of murder


WILLIAM WOLFE JR.

A two-day manhunt for Douglas County murder suspect William Wolfe Jr., 54, of Ava, extended into northern Ozark County over the weekend.

“We were all over eastern Douglas County and northern Ozark County for about 48 hours,” Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase told KY3 news. 

The hunt for Wolfe is in connection with the Douglas County Sheriff Department’s discovery of the body of 84-year-old Clarence Clark, who was found dead inside his home. Degase reportedly saw Wolfe driving away from Clark’s home in the victim’s vehicle after the alleged killing. 

The sheriff confirmed that Wolfe and Clark knew each other.

The two-day search for Wolfe included a couple of close encounters, including a chase with Ozark County deputies at one point.

Wolfe was apprehended Saturday after he reportedly crashed the stolen vehicle in Douglas County. 

Wolfe was arrested and held in custody for violating his probation, and it’s likely that charges may be filed against him in connection with Clark’s murder. 

“We’ve got some work to do. We’re confident we have the right person in custody for this,” Degase told KY3 Monday afternoon. “We don’t want to get the cart ahead of the horse, depending on the autopsy tomorrow.”

Ozark County Times

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