A homeless man was arrested at gunpoint Friday after allegedly entering a local man's house and getting into a scuffle with the homeowner after refusing to leave.
Cole Brian Whiteman, 34, who lists "city streets" as his address, was taken into custody shortly after 12:30 p.m. and charged with a felony count of residential burglary, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of second-degree assault.
Whiteman remained in custody Tuesday on a $15,000 bond, but reportedly appeared Monday in Garland County District Court where a court order was issued barring him from future contact with the residence where he was arrested or the homeowner. According to court records, Whiteman lists no prior felony history, but has had multiple arrests for public intoxication and criminal trespass.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 12:30 p.m. Friday, Hot Springs police Officers Corey Montgomery and Joseph Reichard responded to a residence in the 400 block of Barrett Street regarding a burglary in progress.
They found Officer 1st Class Shannon Steed already on the scene holding a man, later identified as Whiteman, at gunpoint on the ground outside the house.
Whiteman was taken into custody without further incident and officers spoke to the male resident, 20, who stated Whiteman had entered his house through an unlocked front door and refused to leave.
The man said Whiteman pushed him when he approached and they got into a physical confrontation during which he was able to force Whiteman out of the house.
The resident positively identified the man officers had in custody as the one who had entered his house.