Two local felons were arrested around the same time Wednesday in separate incidents after they were each allegedly found to be in possession of firearms.
John Wesley Colbert, 24, who lists a Malvern Avenue address, was taken into custody following a traffic stop shortly after 1 p.m. in the 3200 block of Central and charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by certain persons, each punishable by up to six years in prison.
Christopher Anthony Frazier, 52, who lists a Glade Street address, was taken into custody around the same time at Atwoods, 2004 Albert Pike Road, where he was allegedly shoplifting and charged with one count of possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and possession of drug paraphernalia, punishable by up to six years.
Under Arkansas law, the penalty for a felon being in possession of a firearm is greater if the felon has a prior violent felony conviction. Frazier was previously convicted in 1991 in Hot Springs for aggravated robbery. Colbert was previously convicted on Nov. 25, 2019, of theft by receiving over $5,000 and sentenced to six years' supervised probation.
According to the probable cause affidavit on Colbert, around 1 p.m. Wednesday, Hot Springs police Officer Bryan Rosburg made a traffic stop on an unlicensed black 2002 Mercedes E320 for speeding in the 3200 block of Central.
He made contact with the driver, identified as Colbert, and a computer check showed he was on active probation with a search waiver on file. He asked Colbert to step out and put his hands on the vehicle so he could search him and the car.
In searching the car, Rosburg allegedly found a loaded .40-caliber handgun in the front passenger seat floorboard and a loaded .380-caliber handgun in the driver's side floorboard. Colbert reportedly admitted he knew the guns were in the car.
In addition to the felony charges for having the guns, Colbert was cited for speeding, driving on a suspended driver's license and not having liability insurance.
According to the probable cause affidavit on Frazier, around 1 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to Atwoods for a theft in progress and were told a Black male attempted to steal a pair of boots. Officer Jason Greene spotted a man matching the suspect's description in the parking lot and store employees were pointing in his direction.
The man, later identified as Frazier, "circled around the back of a Chevrolet truck and appeared as if he was trying to avoid me," Greene said, but he made contact with him.
Employees alleged Frazier had removed a pair of wire cutters from the store shelf and used them to cut the security device off "an expensive pair of boots." After seeing the employees were watching him, Frazier allegedly "ditched the boots" before walking out of the store.
Greene noted Frazier still had the wire cutters in his back pocket. Employees stated they saw Frazier drop a pistol in the parking lot when officers arrived. A loaded Beretta .32-caliber pistol was located in the area the employees indicated.
A computer check showed Frazier had numerous warrants, including failure to appear, through several jurisdictions so he was taken into custody and searched. A glass pipe with white residue was reportedly found in his pants pocket.
When questioned, Frazier reportedly admitted the pistol belonged to him and stated he was "glad it wasn't stolen."
