A local man was arrested on a felony warrant Wednesday stemming from allegations he broke into one of the food vendor buildings at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park last month after being spotted by employees and on camera.
Christopher Owen Colbert, 25, of Hot Springs, was taken into custody shortly after 10 a.m. while appearing in Garland County District Court, 607 Ouachita Ave., on an unrelated matter and served with the felony warrant for breaking or entering, punishable by up to six years in prison.
Colbert was later released on a $2,500 bond and is set to appear April 19 in district court on the new charge. According to court records, he has a felony theft of property over $5,000 charge involving an allegedly stolen car pending from his arrest on Dec. 3, 2023, where he was later released on a $3,500 bond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Feb. 6, shortly after 11 a.m., Hot Springs police responded to Magic Springs, 1701 E. Grand Ave., regarding a possible burglary.
The security supervisor told officers that an employee had reported an encounter with a white male on the property outside of normal business hours. During the encounter, the male reportedly stated he was "just passing through" from another location and he claimed to be a former employee.
The supervisor reviewed security footage and allegedly saw the male forcibly enter a maintenance building through a window. He also could be seen forcing open a cashier window at the Pizza Funnel and attempting to remove a cash register.
The male was reportedly identified as Colbert by "several park employees." HSPD Detective Jason Crump also reviewed the security footage and compared it to a recent booking photo of Colbert and reportedly confirmed it was him.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on Feb. 26.