Man Arrested in Smith County Robberies

LINDALE � A man wanted for robberies in Lindale and Tyler has been arrested. Adam Heath Bowers, 34, is believed to be one of three persons seen taking merchandise from the Wal-Mart store, located at 105 East Centennial Boulevard in Lindale around 5:30 Monday morning. Bowers has also been identified as a suspect in Monday afternoon’s robbery of the Family Dollar store at 3503 Frankston Highway. He was also wanted for aggravated assault where Bowers allegedly fired shots at an individual off Highway 64 West in Smith County.

Acting on a tip from the Lindale Police Department, sheriff’s deputies began surveillance on Lavender Road, about 1/2 mile north of the Tyler loop, around 4:00 Wednesday afternoon. Just over an hour and a half later Bowers was seen entering the woods behind a mobile home park. A Smith County K-9 unit and two deputies entered the wooded area in an attempt to track him. Additional Sheriff’s Office units as well as personnel from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Texas Rangers, DPS Troopers, Precinct 5 Constables Office and Lindale PD were called into the area. Bowers was taken into custody after a manhunt north of Tyler between Highway 14 and County Road 35. A DPS helicopter also responded and was instrumental in locating Bowers and led officers on the ground to his location. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Bowers was apprehended after an hour and a half manhunt, according to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. Sheriff Smith praised the cooperation of the many different agencies that participated in search and arrest.