Mystery Creature is Making Northwest Arkansas Residents Nervous

By Sandra Kirk

Decatur — A mysterious creature roaming the Northwest Arkansas area, is making some residents a little nervous. Police have received several calls recently about a large ape like animal in Benton County. The first sighting was in Decatur, the second caller claimed the animal was headed north toward Crystal Lake, about a quarter mile away. Then a third caller said the animal was on benning road, several miles east of town.

There's a lot of speculation about what's lurking in the woods in and around decatur.

(Ike Owens, Resident) "It's freaky. They're saying its Sasquatch. They're saying bigfoot and this and that."

Whether it's actually bigfoot allegedly seen in this vintage film from California is still up for debate. It's certainly the topic of conversation at Gallery Cafe in Decatur.

(David Cook, Resident) "It happens around the nation. Everywhere I guess. It could be here as well as anywhere I guess. It's sure getting around I think it's ridiculous. There's nothing like that in Decatur."

Police say there are a lot of theories about the mystery animal, that's why they're sticking to the facts.

(Coy Hendrix, Decatur Police Chief) "The only description I have is a small brown monkey about a foot and a half tall. It's not bigfoot I believe. I didn't see any tracks of anything."

According to police, the animal has not had any contact with any humans. If you see the creature, you're asked to call Decatur police at 479-752-3911.

From: KATV, 3 October 2003.