Alma, Arkansas - Intoxicated Suspect Injures Officer - Crashes Stolen Patrol Car
May 20, 2006
A Van Buren man accused of stealing an Alma patrol car and wrecking it.
Justin Ray Jones, 22, appeared in Crawford County Circuit Court on charges of
theft of property, aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated third
offense, fleeing by vehicle and fleeing on foot. Circuit Judge Gary Cottrell
appointed the public defenders office to represent Jones. A not-guilty plea was
entered on Jones’ behalf to each of the charges.
The public defender’s office asked Cottrell to lower bond for Jones from $5,000.
Cottrell agreed to the reduction.
According to a police report, an Alma police officer arrested Jones and Jason
Painter, 26, of Dyer on May 6 at the Alma Gardens Apartments on suspicion of
public intoxication. The two men were placed in the back of the patrol car
but not handcuffed. While the officer spoke to witnesses, Jones climbed into the
front seat of the car and started driving off.
The report said that the officer tried to stop Jones but he accelerated,
which caused the officer to be thrown to the ground and injured. Jones drove
the car east on Collum Lane onto U.S. 71. He crashed into a ditch shortly
after in front of an auto parts store. Both men then fled on foot but were
captured shortly after.