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A man was arrested in Hot Springs after crashing into the fence surrounding the police department’s back parking lot. Leopoldo Dominicio Apodaca, 40, was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time. He was charged with first-degree criminal mischief and cited for careless and prohibited driving. Apodaca drove recklessly through the parking lot, damaging a sign and ramming the entrance gate. He was apprehended by Lt. Kenny May. Apodaca claimed he was high on meth and believed he was being followed by someone on a motorcycle. Arkansas Online reported
A male suspect was apprehended on Wednesday following an incident where he crashed into the perimeter fence of the Hot Springs Police Department’s rear parking lot, causing damage to the entry gate. It is alleged that the individual was driving under the influence of methamphetamine at the time.
Leopoldo Dominicio Apodaca, aged 40, was taken into custody at around 8:15 p.m. and is now facing charges of first-degree criminal mischief, which is classified as a felony offense. Additionally, he has been cited for careless and prohibited driving.
According to the details provided in a sworn affidavit, the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. when a GMC Sierra pickup truck forcefully broke through the fence situated at the southeast corner of the Police Department’s rear parking lot, resulting in damage to approximately 50 feet of fencing and a fence post.
The driver, subsequently identified as Apodaca, proceeded to drive recklessly through the parking lot at an alarming speed, colliding with and causing damage to a sign. Furthermore, he rammed into the metal entrance gate, which houses the gate card reader and entry pad system, according to authorities familiar with the matter.
Reportedly, Apodaca then hurried towards the rear entrance of the Police Department, where he picked up a bench and displayed intentions of throwing it through the glass doors. However, his actions were promptly intercepted by Lieutenant Kenny May, who successfully took him into custody without further incident, as confirmed by law enforcement officials.
During the subsequent questioning, Apodaca confessed to the police that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and believed that he was being pursued by an individual on a motorcycle. His motive, as he claimed, was to attract the attention of the police officers, as disclosed by the authorities involved in the investigation.
The Hot Springs Street Department is seen working to restore the corner pole of the parking lot located at the junction of Pleasant and Kirk Streets on Thursday morning. – Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record.
A sign displaying the message “No thru traffic” is visible above the makeshift barrier, which was placed by the Street Department on Thursday morning. – Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record..
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