A homeless man who had allegedly been driving a stolen car was arrested Monday night after fleeing from Hot Springs police who reportedly had to use a Taser to stop him.
James Lee Billington, 37, who lists "city streets" as his address, was taken into custody shortly after 8:30 p.m. and charged with a felony count of theft by receiving, punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of fleeing on foot.
Billington, who also had a warrant for failure to appear, remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of $4,000 bond and a zero bond parole hold. He is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to the Fountain Motel, 1622 Central Ave., regarding a stolen vehicle out of Hot Spring County at the motel. Upon arrival, the officers observed a white 2001 Ford F-150 pickup that was confirmed to have been stolen from Acme Brick Co., 22436 Highway 67, in Malvern.
Cpl. Zak Rostan spoke to motel staff members who told him the room where the man seen driving the vehicle was staying. Rostan and Officer Tyler Cox went to the room and Cox saw a white male peeking out of the window as they approached. Rostan moved toward the rear of the building as Cox approached the front door to make sure no one attempted to exit that way.
Before he could get to the rear, Rostan saw a man running from the room and broadcast his description. Multiple officers pursued the man, later identified as Billington, on foot as Officer Joey Vanderburg drove in the direction the suspect was fleeing.
As Vanderburg approached the 100 block of Watt Street, he saw Billington run from behind the motel and cross Watt as the officer yelled for him to stop and stay on the ground. Billington allegedly refused and ran around the opposite side of Vanderburg's unit.
"He stopped for a brief moment and looked at me before sprinting around the edge of a house," Vanderburg stated. Billington appeared to be reaching for his left coat pocket as the officer gave multiple commands for him to stop.
Vanderburg said he warned Billington he would use his Taser, but he continued to refuse to comply so finally the officer deployed his Taser, hitting him with two leads in the shoulder and lower back. Billington fell to the ground and finally began to comply and was taken into custody without further incident.
Near the window of the motel room where Billington fled there was a backpack found hanging in the shower. Billington stated the backpack belonged to him and had tools in it. Malvern police arrived on the scene and noted multiple tools had been stolen along with the truck from Acme Brick.
When told the truck was stolen, Billington reportedly stated motel staff had come to the room and told him and other occupants the vehicle was parked on a sidewalk and needed to be moved so he moved it. The affidavit notes several phones were found in the backpack which are believed to be the property of Acme Brick, as well.
Local on 12/12/2018