Springdale : Suspect on lam falls from ceiling
Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005
A handcuffed suspect hid in the attic of the Hilltop Inn in Springdale on Sunday, then fell through the ceiling as police closed in.
Jad Hector Perkins, 26, was arrested after two women in the motel lobby saw him reach his hand out an attic door, Springdale police said.
Police also arrested Hilltop Inn manager Vanetta Dover, 30, on charges she hid Perkins at the motel.
Police first arrested Perkins about 9 a. m. driving near the motel with syringe of methamphetamine in his car, a police report states.
Perkins slipped out of the back seat of a squad car while his hands were cuffed behind his back, the report states.
He ran, jumped a fence and eluded officers who searched with a dog.
Police learned Perkins was staying at the Journey’s Inn — a few blocks from the Hilltop Inn at 3601 S. Thompson St.
Officers interviewed Dover at the Hilltop Inn about 7 p. m., but she denied knowing Perkins ’ whereabouts, the report states.
Dover later told police that Perkins had showed up at the motel, handcuffed and asking for her help, according to the report.
Dover told police she’d first met Perkins four days earlier.
About 8 : 45 p. m. Sunday, Jennifer Ramey and Desaree Watkins saw a hand reach out from the attic door near the front desk.
The women, who know Dover, asked her what was going on.
“Leave now,” Dover told them, according to the report.
Concerned for Dover’s safety, the women called police, who surrounded the motel.
An officer tried to open the attic door but got resistance.
Then, police heard running overhead, and Perkins fell through the ceiling of Room 117.
A customer, who wasn’t identified in the report, said Perkins fell into his room, then ran out. The man got a refund and left the motel before police interviewed him, the report states. Hilltop Inn owner Sun Dill had no comment Monday. Police arrested Perkins on Sunday outside the motel, the report states. He was still handcuffed, but the cuffs were in front of his body. Perkins of Eureka Springs faces charges of possession a controlled substance and fleeing. Dover of Springdale faces a charge of hindering apprehension. They were both in the Washington County jail Monday.
To contact this reporter : mbradford@arkansasonline. com
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