TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2009 (Wednesday)
Officer Kristi Mitchell
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department formed a robbery task force yesterday, made up of personnel from the Criminal Investigation Division, Special Operations Unit, and The Uniformed Patrol Division, in response to the recent robberies that have occurred at the local hotels around I-30.
On March 8, 2009 at 9:00pm, officers responded to the Country Host Inn, 900 Realtor Road, to a reported robbery. Victim of this case advised three B/M suspects approached him in the parking lot and demanded money. One of the suspects produced a black handgun and demanded his wallet.
On March 9, 2009 at 09:00pm, officers responded to LaCrosse Hotel, 5100 North State Line, in reference to an armed robbery. The two victims advised a B/M suspect holding a black handgun approached them and demanded money. Two additional B/M suspects were observed during this incident.
During the above investigation, a victim was located on the east side of the LaCrosse Hotel parking lot, advising he had been approached by three B/M suspects. The victim stated the suspects demanded money from him, while one of the suspects pointed a black pistol at his head.
On March 10, 2009 at 8:00pm, officers responded to 900 Realtor Road, to a reported armed robbery. The victim stated he was in the parking lot working on his vehicle, when three B/M suspects approached him, one pointing a black handgun at him, while demanding money. When the victim expressed to the suspects he did not have any money, one of the suspects struck him several times in the face with the gun.
The victims of these crimes gave a very similar description of the suspects. In addition to the descriptions, the suspects’ behavior pattern was unfolding and detectives were able to gather a counter plan to deal with these individuals. For all practical purposes, investigators believed the suspects would continue their dangerous crime spree until caught. Police believed the suspects’ behavior would escalate and could become deadly. From this, a strike team was established with a set goal to capturing these dangerous individuals.
While working this specialized assignment, Detective Les Moody observed a suspiciously acting black male walking out of Chapel Ridge Apartments onto the parking lot of the Ambassador Inn Motel. Believing another Robbery was imminent, Moody acted quickly and notified uniformed patrol Corporal John Gibbert to respond to the area and help in locating this subject. The suspect was positively identified by the recent victim from Country Host Inn. Police subsequently arrested a 15 year old black male juvenile and charged him with four counts of Aggravated Robbery. Another juvenile warrant for a separate black male was issued today. Police also issued warrants for Andre Kendricks B/M 19 YOA and Lovell Kendrick B/M 19 YOA. These warrants were issued for 4 counts of Aggravated Robbery. This investigation continues and other arrests are expected.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to notify TAPD or Texarkana area CrimeStoppers at 903-793-STOP.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.