FORT SMITH- A male suspect now faces multiple serious charges including kidnapping, robbery, and sexual assault following an arrest made last Saturday.
Police were dispatched to a location on Mussett Rd. in reference to a subject with a gun around 12:29 AM on February 9th, 2019. Dispatchers were told the subject possibly had the gun pointed at a female victim.
Police discovered an SUV at the scene and made contact with a man named Zion Releford in the back of the vehicle, as well as a female subject in sitting in the front seat. Police report Releford was wearing blue latex gloves when they first made contact.
According to an incident report, the female subject advised Police that she and her boyfriend were being held at gunpoint by Releford while he demanded cash. The alleged victims report that when Releford was told they did not have the money he wanted, he demanded that they drive around until they could figure out a way to get the money.
Releford allegedly sexually assaulted the female while the couple drove around at gunpoint, according to the report.
Police report that the incident began at the 10 box gas station where Releford approached the male subject and then allegedly robbed and assaulted him at gun point before demanding he “get in the vehicle”.
Police located a 9mm Hipoint Semi-Auto Pistol with seven bullets inside the magazine, a backpack with a blue bandana attached, and a ski mask inside the SUV.
Releford is now facing charges of Aggravated Robbery with a Firearm, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault. He is being held at the Sebastian County Detention Center without bond.
The Fort Smith Police Department believes Releford may be responsible for other violent crimes in the area. If you have any information you believe may be useful, the department encourages you to come forward. Call 479-709-5100, and you will be connected to a Detective.
