A local man was arrested Monday morning on a felony warrant for aggravated robbery stemming from allegations he attempted to stab a Walmart employee who tried to stop him from shoplifting last month.
Gregory Lynn Hamilton Jr., 28, who lists a Hobson Avenue address, was arrested around 10 a.m. Monday and charged with aggravated robbery, punishable by up to life in prison, and a misdemeanor count of theft of property.
He remained in custody Tuesday on zero bond and is set to appear in Garland County District Court on Oct. 17.
According to the affidavit, Hot Springs police responded to Walmart, 1601 Albert Pike Road, at around 10 a.m. Sept. 19 in reference to a robbery. An employee told officers that he observed a man attempting to steal items from the store.
The employee told officers the man, who was carrying a backpack, was seen holding five new release DVDs as he went about selecting other items throughout the store. After he selected two pairs of pants and three white shirts, he allegedly rolled up the DVDs inside the clothing and stuffed them in his backpack. The employee said he then saw the suspect walk toward the store's exit without paying.
The employee approached the man about the items and he allegedly pulled a knife from his left pocket, changed hands with the knife and attempted to lunge toward the employee's midsection while calling him an obscenity. He reportedly fled the store following the confrontation.
Detective Mark Fallis had photographs of the suspect he distributed to different media sources, asking the public's help in identifying him. On Sept. 21, Fallis received a tip the suspect's name was Gregory Hamilton. The detective used previous arrest photographs and Facebook photos to positively identify Hamilton as the suspect and a warrant was issued.
Local on 10/04/2017