MAN wanted in disappearance of woman arrested

A man wanted in the stabbing and disappearance of an Oakhurst woman is in the Creek County Jail. David Eads was arrested following a traffic stop in Lawton. <br><br>Creek County law officers returned

Friday, August 31st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A man wanted in the stabbing and disappearance of an Oakhurst woman is in the Creek County Jail. David Eads was arrested following a traffic stop in Lawton.

Creek County law officers returned Eads, to Sapulpa, Saturday morning, where he faces allegations he also stabbed another woman before disappearing with a wounded Jane Neafus on June 24.

``Now we can concentrate on finding Jane Neafus,'' Creek County Sheriff Steve Toliver said.

Lawton police arrested Eads late Thursday after a search on a national crime database showed he was wanted, said Creek County Undersheriff Rick Ishmael.

Officers also seized Eads' van, which was parked on nearby Indian land. The FBI, the Comanche Nation, and the State of Oklahoma, worked together to take possession of the van. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation plans to inventory the van on Tuesday.

Eads is suspected of slashing Neafus, 54, and Jessica Sue Smith, 49, with what may have been a machete and then fleeing with Neafus.

Smith suffered serious cuts and was hospitalized for more than a week. Authorities fear Neafus is dead.