A reportedly homeless man was arrested early Friday at a local hospital after he allegedly broke two large windows at the Hot Springs Convention Center and cut the center's flagpole ropes.
Richard Thompson Jr., 31, who lists his address as "city streets," was taken into custody shortly after 2 a.m. at National Park Medical Center, 1910 Malvern Ave., and charged with first-degree criminal mischief over $1,000, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.
He was being held on $2,500 bond and was set to appear Friday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police Sgt. Lonell Lennox observed two large broken windows, with damage estimated at $2,000, and cut flagpole ropes, with damage estimated at $150, at the convention center.
Lennox saw a blood trail leading from north to south on Malvern in front of the Hotel Hot Springs & Spa, with the blood trail continuing west on Malvern. He obtained security video from the hotel which showed a black male walking the same path as the blood trail.
Minutes later, officers responded to NPMC after being notified a black male was seeking treatment in the emergency room there for a laceration to his right arm. Officers made contact with the man, identified as Thompson, and noted he was the same man seen in the security video.
It was noted there were several broken windows in the area where Thompson was observed. Detective Brian Branstetter was called in shortly after 2:30 a.m. to work the case and later filed the felony charge against Thompson, who was booked into the jail shortly before 6:30 a.m. after being released from the hospital.
According to court records, Thompson had several prior arrests in Hot Springs and Little Rock for criminal mischief, shoplifting and other misdemeanor charges.
He pleaded no contest on Aug. 28, 2012, in Garland County District Court to a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief, also involving damages to the convention center, and was sentenced to one year in jail, with all of it suspended except for 36 days, and he was ordered to pay $880 in restitution to the convention center.
It was noted a sign language interpreter was needed for the plea hearing because Thompson was deaf, but can read lips. A court order barring him from contact with the convention center was also issued at that time.
Local on 09/14/2019