Blytheville police have arrested Lonnel Wiley , 40, on kidnapping and aggravated burglary charges after three incidents this week.
In one case, Wiley, possibly armed, allegedly entered a victim's vehicle and told her to drive away against her will, forcing her to drive to an ATM and other locations where he tried to get her to get money and or make purchases, according to Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson.
"On Monday, October 1st 2018 officers of the Blytheville Police Department responded to the 800 block of Robindale in reference to trespassing," Thompson said in a press release. "On arrival officers received a report that the homeowners caught male subject in their laundry room. When confronted the offender fled the scene and was gone prior to officers’ arrival. The homeowners were unable to identify the subject at the time but gave a good description to officers."
"On Tuesday, October 2nd 2018, at approximately 1:30 p.m., officers of the Blytheville Police Department responded to the 200 block of Stemac in regards to a home invasion," Thompson continued. "On arrival officers made contact with the 83 year old homeowner who reported that male subject knocked on her door. When she opened the door the male subject claimed he had a firearm and forced his way in. The victim reported that the offender began making sexually suggestive acts towards her eventually locking her in a room and took her vehicle described as a white van and left the scene. A short time later patrol officers located the stolen van which was processed for evidence. The victim was able to provide officers with a description of the offender."
The chief said citizens provided Blytheville Police Department detectives with a name of a potential suspect, Wiley, who fit the description given by both victims; however, the information at that time was insufficient to obtain a warrant.
"On Wednesday, October 3rd 2018 at approximately 11:20 p.m., officers of the Blytheville Police Department responded to the 300 block of South Broadway Street regarding a suspicious vehicle called in by an observant citizen," Thompson said. "As patrol officers approached the vehicle a 52 year old female exited and a male subject drove off at a high rate of speed. Patrol officers pursued the vehicle and after a brief pursuit the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Blytheville patrol officers gave chase and apprehended the driver identified as 40 year old Lonnell Wiley of Blytheville. Wiley resisted arrest but was eventually taken into custody."
The victim told police that while in the drive through lane at local restaurant, Wiley approached the passenger side of her vehicle to talk to her.
"The victim reported that Wiley claimed he was armed with a firearm and entered her vehicle and told her to drive away against her will," Thompson said. "The victim reported that the defendant forced her to drive to an ATM and other locations where he tried to get her to get money and or make purchases. The victim reported that she was forced to the Broadway street area and park against her will. During this time she saw patrol officer approaching and exited the vehicle for help while Wiley drove off. Wiley was identified as the offender in all three incidents."
Wiley has been charged with numerous offenses, including Kidnapping and Aggravated Residential Burglary. His bond has been set at $500,000.00 cash.
"We thank the citizens who helped make Wiley’s arrest possible and please remember when you see something say something as in this incident it helped stop a very serious crime in progress," Thompson said.