A felon on probation who reportedly was caught breaking into a vehicle was arrested Wednesday after allegedly fleeing from Hot Springs police and fighting with officers, causing injuries to two.
Akeejae Cordell Bryant, 23, who lists a Garland Street address, was taken into custody around 4 p.m. and charged with a felony count of breaking or entering, punishable by up to six years in prison, and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, fleeing on foot and two counts of third-degree battery.
Bryant, who also had a warrant for failure to appear, remained in custody Thursday on a zero bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court. Bryant was convicted of theft by receiving on May 15, 2017, and sentenced to five years' supervised probation. He was arrested on Oct. 6, 2019, for possession of a firearm by certain persons and released on a $5,000 bond on Feb. 4, 2020. He reportedly failed to appear for a hearing on June 11 and a warrant was issued.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to the area of 210 Jacobs Street regarding a break-in that had just occurred involving a Black male wearing a black hoodie and carrying a backpack who fled the scene heading toward Marymee Street.
While searching in the area, Officer Kevin Moore spotted a man matching the description in the area of Jacobs and Marymee and attempted to detain him but he fled on foot.
Cpl. Nathan Rines arrived to assist and the two of them were able to subdue the man, later identified as Bryant, on the ground. Bryant allegedly refused to comply with orders to put his hands behind his back and "actively resisted."
Moore noted Bryant was "clenching his hands together while lying on top of them" refusing to put them behind him. The officers were eventually able to place Bryant into custody. The affidavit notes Moore sustained a laceration to the top of his left hand during the struggle and Rines sustained "approximately 25 fire ant bites" causing his hand to turn red and swell.
Officers spoke to the victim of the break-in who stated he was working outside his residence when he saw a man standing beside his vehicle. The man began walking away and the victim noted his truck door was open. He said he looked inside and the interior was in disarray with the glove compartment and center console rummaged through, but nothing was apparently missing.
The victim was brought to the area where Bryant was detained and reportedly identified him as the man he had seen.
The affidavit notes Bryant continued to be combative at the detention center and refused to cooperate with the booking paperwork.