UPDATE: Police chief apologizes for Fayetteville football player's mistaken arrest

BENTONVILLE — Centerton Police Chief Cody Harper apologized Friday night for the mistaken arrest of a Fayetteville High School football player earlier in the week.

Terrance Rock, 18, of Fayetteville was arrested Tuesday in connection with residential burglary and theft of property, both felonies. He was released from the Benton County Jail the next day on a $10,000 bond.

“The Centerton Police Department is currently working to resolve the arrest of Mr. Rock as he has not committed or been implicated in the crime he was arrested,” Harper said in a news release. “The Centerton Police Department apologizes to Mr. Rock, his family and the Fayetteville Athletic Department for this mistaken identity.”

Lance Cox, Rock’s attorney, said Friday morning that Rock was innocent and the arrest was a mistake.

“It’s not him,” Cox said. “There’s a 100 percent chance that they arrested the wrong guy. I’ll give up my law license if that doesn’t turn out to be true.”

Cox spoke with a Benton County deputy prosecutor about the issue Friday morning. Bryan Sexton, deputy prosecutor, said Friday afternoon additional information has been provided to the prosecutor’s office and that information was given to Centerton police.

Cox was adamant Rock wasn’t involved in the crime.

“Terrance has never stepped a foot in Centerton,” Cox said. “He does not even know the victims.”

Police confused Rock with another person, Cox said. That person, another Bulldog player who is a juvenile, admitted “he was the guy” and Rock had no involvement, Cox said.

Centerton police arrested Rock at the high school Tuesday, Cox said. Police didn’t interview Rock before they arrested him, he said. Rock spent the night in jail, according to Cox.

The arrest came from an incident in September where a Centerton man claimed Rock and two juveniles stole items from his home, according to a probable cause affidavit. The man reported stolen speakers, a cellphone charger and two watches, according to the affidavit.

Harper said in the news release that the victim’s child identified one of the juveniles by name and the other two via Instagram.

Harper said in the news release that a juvenile came forward after Rock’s arrest and reported his guilt to a football team staff member. The juvenile has a similar physical appearance as Rock, the release stated. Police had identified Rock as a suspect through Instagram, but it was not Rock’s account.

One of the juveniles previously was arrested after he attempted to return the items, according to court documents.

Cox said it’s important the issue is resolved quickly.

“[Rock] is getting hammered on social media about the arrest and it is important to clear his name,” he said.

Rock, a senior running back, led the Bulldogs in rushing with 828 yards on 106 carries and six touchdowns heading into Friday night’s 7A home playoff game against Conway. He also had 24 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns.

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