Newport police arrest Missouri slaying suspect

A man wanted in connection with a Missouri death has been arrested in Newport Beach, police said Tuesday.

Mark Edward Rhodes, 43, was arrested about 4 p.m. Monday in a neighborhood behind Corona del Mar High School off Vista Bonita and Barranca, said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steve Burdette.

Authorities in Carroll County, Mo., have been looking for Rhodes and his ex-wife, Tina Mae Rhodes, 44, since Sept. 8. Police in Missouri found her body Monday in a rural field just outside Carroll County, officials said.

Tina Rhodes was reported missing after she did not show up at a car dealership where she was expected. By Friday, sheriff’s deputies were hunting for Mark Rhodes, who was last seen with her. Authorities said he has a history of domestic violence against her and would likely be driving a black 1997 Ford Thunderbird.

Carroll County police called Newport Beach police Friday, letting them know Mark Rhodes might be on his way there. He has a grandmother in the area, officials said.

Monday afternoon, officials said police were conducting surveillance on Rhodes’ grandmother’s house, spotted him in his car and pulled him over. He was arrested without incident and no weapons were found in the car.

Police said Rhodes switched license plates somewhere along the trip because the vehicle had Utah plates. Rhodes was being held in Newport Beach city jail and is expected to be extradited Wednesday or Thursday back to Missouri where he will be prosecuted.