A Hot Springs man was arrested Monday night after allegedly threatening to kill staff members and an officer while in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.
Quanah Hopps, 39, who lists a Fifth Street address, was taken into custody at 8 p.m. at National Park Medical Center, 1910 Malvern Ave., and charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and four counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, each punishable by up to one year in jail.
He remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of $4,500 bond and is set to appear Feb. 9 in Garland County District Court.
According to the affidavit, Hot Springs police Officer Chase Ogden made contact with Hopps, a patient in the ICU, and hospital staff members who advised the officer that Hopps was being held for psychiatric observation for 72 hours. Hopps reported said he wanted to go to jail, and was asked to step back into his room. He reportedly got loud, using profane language directed at Ogden and the staff. Hopps refused to go back into his room and stated he'd rather go to jail. Ogden advised him multiple times to go back to his room and Hopps stated he was leaving. Hopps was then handcuffed and taken back to his room.
He continued to use profane language stating, "I will find your mother, father, brother, sister and kill them all and f - - - - - - kill you." Additional officers responded to NPMC to assist until Hopps was medically cleared to leave. Other patients overheard Hopps and one had to be moved to another room for safety due to his increasing agitation.
While in his room, he reportedly kicked items and made threats to staff members saying he would find their addresses and kill them and their families. Hopps attempted to rush staff, saying "I will f - - - - - - kill you." He was cleared and taken to the Garland County Detention Center.
• A local man and a Georgia woman were arrested late Monday after allegedly attempting to steal hotel furniture.
Beckwith Preston Ritter, 34, who lists a Popular Street address, and Amira Veronica Ahdaya, 28, of Georgia, were taken into custody at 9:45 p.m. at Travel Lodge, 1204 Central Ave., and each charged with theft of property and possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail.
Ritter received additional misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and third-degree battery, each punishable by up to one year in jail. Both remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of bonds totaling $6,000 and are set to appear Feb. 9 in Garland County District Court.
According to the affidavit, the manager of the Travel Lodge said he observed Ritter and Ahdaya attempting to load hotel furniture that was sitting outside into the back of a truck. The manager tried to stop Ritter from loading a shelf and Ritter allegedly elbowed him in the face, breaking his glasses.
Ahdaya advised they were taking the furniture because they thought it was being thrown out. Ritter and Ahdaya attempted to steal a mattress, box springs, television stand and shelf that were being stored in the parking lot, according to the manager. During a search of Ahdaya's handbag, officers located 5 grams of what later field tested positive for marijuana.
The manager had a small laceration across his nose.
• A convicted felon was arrested Monday after allegedly discharging a weapon inside city limits.
Roland Keith Elkins, 56, who lists a Westover Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 5 p.m. at 200 Albert Pike Road and charged with possession of firearms by certain persons, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.
According to the affidavit, Elkins was found to match the description of a subject possibly discharging a firearm within city limits. HSPD officers located a 9 mm on Elkins and were advised he had a previous felony conviction. Elkins was sedated and LifeNet transported him to NPMC.
Local on 01/27/2016