A local woman was allegedly attacked and dragged from her apartment, then threatened at gunpoint along with her daughter and niece, by several people Monday evening.
Joanna Aliah Murphy, 18, who lists a Vantage Street address, and Wintrell Vaquint Coleman, 18, who lists a Rector Street address, were both taken into custody shortly after 11:30 p.m. and charged with a felony count of first-degree false imprisonment, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of third-degree battery, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Murphy was also charged with three counts of aggravated assault, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.
Michael Dewayne Brown, 19, a previously convicted felon who listed no current address, was also arrested on a charge of possession of a firearm by certain persons, a felony punishable by up to 20 years, and a warrant for a probation violation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police responded to the apartments at 108 Bailey Place at around 11 p.m. Monday regarding a disturbance in the parking lot involving multiple people and a gun.
A 32-year-old woman who reportedly had blood on her knees, elbows and face and scratches to her neck and chest told police that Coleman, Murphy and a third, unidentified suspect, had knocked on her door a short time earlier.
She said that when she answered the door, the three grabbed her and pulled her out of the apartment. She said she attempted to resist, but they overpowered her, hit her, and dragged her down a flight of stairs, 50 to 60 yards down a sidewalk and into the parking lot.
Moments later, the woman's daughter and niece, who had been in her apartment, ran into the parking lot to help her.
Brown, who was with Coleman, Murphy and the third suspect, grabbed what the victim and witnesses described as a rifle from a nearby white Mercury Marquis or Ford Crown Victoria.
Brown allegedly handed the rifle to Murphy, who began to wave it around and aim it at the woman, her daughter and niece before the suspects got into the vehicle and left.
Police broadcast a description of the vehicle, and a white 2001 Crown Victoria was spotted a short time later in the area of Park Avenue and Gorge Road. The car was pulled over in the 700 block of Park and Murphy, Coleman, Brown and the other suspect were all located inside and taken into custody.
While on the traffic stop, officers reportedly located a rifle on the side of the road about a quarter of a mile from the intersection of Park and Gorge.
Brown was convicted June 26, 2017, on a felony count of breaking or entering and sentenced to three years' probation, fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $420 in court costs. On Nov. 9, 2017, a probation violation report was filed because Brown reportedly failed to make payments on his fine or court costs and failed to provide an address or proof of employment. On Nov. 22, 2017, a warrant was issued for his arrest for violation of his probation.
Coleman was previously arrested May 8, 2017, on felony charges of aggravated robbery and second-degree battery stemming from allegations he and several other males attacked and robbed a man on Cones Road on Jan. 11, 2017.
Coleman appeared in Garland County Circuit Court on Monday regarding the charges and was initially scheduled to stand trial Tuesday, but the trial was postponed due to some questions regarding fingerprint evidence. A new trial date had not been scheduled as of Tuesday.
Murphy, Coleman and Brown all remained in custody Tuesday and are set to appear today in Garland County District Court. Murphy was being held on bonds totaling $12,000, Coleman was being held on bonds totaling $39,500, including the revocation of his bonds from his pending charges, and Brown was being held on bonds totaling $8,095.
Local on 04/11/2018