Van Buren- Two individuals from the Little Rock area are now in jail following a standoff with police early this morning.
According to a press release: At approximately 4:00 AM, a Van Buren Police officer was patrolling through the parking lot of the Quality Inn at the Cloverleaf Plaza, where he observed that a vehicle was parked crooked and taking up two parking spots. A check on the tags of the vehicle brought up multiple warrants, including a felony warrant for aggravated assault.
After a brief period of observing the vehicle, the officer observed a man getting out of another vehicle and returning to the motel room where the suspect vehicle appeared to be parked. The officer attempted to make contact with the man, Wesley Bowden, 38, of North Little Rock, who allegedly ran back into the motel room and barricaded himself inside. Multiple officers were then called to the scene for backup.
Officers report a standoff ensued with Bowden that lasted nearly two hours while they attempted to negotiate. During the standoff Bowden allegedly claimed to possess a weapon, and made threats to shoot said weapon through the walls of the motel room or at officers if they attempted to enter.
Officers were eventually able to convince Bowden to surrender and leave the hotel room without any incident.
Officers arrested Bowden on charges of Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Meth or Cocaine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bowden will also face a Parole Board Warrant out of the State of Louisiana.
Officers also made contact with one other subject during the incident: Bethany Helton, 29, of Little Rock. Helton was arrested as well on charges of Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Meth or Cocaine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia for Use of Meth or Cocaine, and Financial Identity Fraud.
Both subjects were booked into the Crawford County Jail in Van Buren, AR.