Three people were arrested on felony robbery charges early Wednesday after a short foot pursuit for allegedly robbing a woman outside of her Indiandale apartment using a fake gun.
Michael Jay Craig Jr., 20, Angel Nichole Hill, 19, both of Hot Springs, and Diamond Dalissa Morris, 22, of Camden, were arrested around 4 a.m. Wednesday and each charged with aggravated robbery, punishable by up to life in prison, and a misdemeanor count of fleeing on foot, punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
Craig was also charged with a misdemeanor count of fleeing in a vehicle, punishable by up to one year in jail.
All three suspects were being held on zero bond and are set to appear Aug. 1 in Garland County District Court.
According to the affidavit, Hot Springs police Officer Taylor Gates responded to Indiandale Apartments, 105 Lowery St., in reference to an aggravated robbery and made contact with a woman who stated she was robbed at gunpoint.
The victim told Gates she was carrying a tote with her purse on top of it from her vehicle to her apartment when she was approached by a male wearing bluejeans and a mask with a skeletal design. He reportedly pointed what appeared to be a silver semi-automatic handgun at her head and began shouting.
The suspect reportedly took her purse and fled on foot to a gold 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. He entered the front passenger side seat and the vehicle left the parking lot.
While en route to the scene, Sgt. Frank Sears observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle. He attempted to make a traffic stop but the vehicle fled, eventually stopping on Hendricks Street.
The three occupants of the vehicle reportedly fled on foot, and were apprehended a short time later near Runyon Street. Next to the passenger side of the vehicle, Gates reportedly located two billfolds and loose ID cards with the victim's name on them.
He also located a skeletal mask and a fake plastic gun in the driver's side floorboard.
Police reportedly determined Craig was driving the car, Hill was in the front passenger seat and Morris was in the back seat. All three suspects were brought in for questioning at the police department.
Detective Jarrett Cantrell interviewed Morris about the incident. In her account, Hill exited the vehicle to rob the woman in the parking lot. Morris said Hill was wearing a mask and once she returned to the car, she went through the victim's purse. Morris admitted she knew Hill intended to rob the woman.
Gates spoke with Hill at the police department and she admitted to being in the suspect vehicle and fleeing on foot, but said the robbery was not her idea. She also claimed she was passed out in the car the entire time.
When questioned, Craig reportedly admitted to driving the vehicle and fleeing from police, but he also said it was Hill who robbed the woman. He stated he was driving the vehicle and they talked about "hitting a lick."
As he was driving out of the parking lot, he spotted the victim driving past them in a white car. Craig said Hill then put on the mask and robbed the victim.
Local on 07/20/2017