Izard County Man Arrested After Taking Mother's Truck, Fleeing Deputy

Suspect faces felony fleeing and misdemeanor unauthorized use of vehicle charges.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:20pm

An extreme close-up photograph of a car key against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the crime of unauthorized vehicle use.A recent wave of vehicle thefts and pursuits in Izard County exposes the need for stronger communication and accountability around car usage within families.Melbourne Today

A 33-year-old Melbourne, Arkansas man named Matthew Joseph Sollock was arrested after taking his mother's truck without permission and leading a deputy on a pursuit through a residential neighborhood before eventually stopping and being apprehended.

Why it matters

Vehicle theft and fleeing from law enforcement are serious crimes that can endanger public safety. This incident highlights the need for clear communication and boundaries between family members when it comes to vehicle use, as well as the potential consequences for those who choose to disobey law enforcement.

The details

According to the Izard County Sheriff's Office, Sollock's mother had previously allowed him to use the truck, but on Monday afternoon she told him he could not take it. Sollock took the truck anyway, and a deputy soon spotted the vehicle and attempted to pull it over. Sollock refused to stop, leading the deputy on a pursuit through a populated neighborhood before eventually stopping at a stop sign, where the deputy was able to block him in and make a felony traffic stop.

  • On Monday afternoon, Sollock's mother told him he could not take her truck.
  • Shortly after, a deputy spotted the truck and tried to pull Sollock over.
  • The pursuit continued through a residential area known as 'The Ashley Woods'.
  • Sollock eventually stopped at a stop sign, where the deputy was able to block him in.

The players

Matthew Joseph Sollock

A 33-year-old man from Melbourne, Arkansas who was arrested for taking his mother's truck without permission and fleeing from a deputy.

Izard County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and arrested Sollock.

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What’s next

Sollock was released on $5,000 bond and is facing felony charges of fleeing and misdemeanor unauthorized use of a vehicle. His previous criminal record includes charges related to a string of break-ins in 2018, to which he pled guilty to two counts of breaking or entering, theft of a vehicle, and theft of a firearm.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of clear communication and boundaries between family members when it comes to vehicle use, as well as the serious consequences that can result from disobeying law enforcement. It also highlights the need for continued monitoring and accountability for repeat offenders to protect public safety.