BENTON, Ark. – Two people are in jail after police answered a call about a possible hostage situation at a local hotel.
It happened shortly before 4 a.m. on Monday at the Days Inn (17701 I-30).
In a news release issued Tuesday, the Benton Police Department (BNPD) said it was reported to officers that a suspect armed with a gun was holding another individual against their will.
Paul Barnes, 33, of Little Rock and Haley Yates, 22, of Benton, were arrested at the scene.
Officers spoke with numerous individuals outside the hotel room, including the one who was possibly being held against their will. According to those outside the room, the Barnes and Yates showed up at the hotel and tried to get a friend to leave but she refused.
The BNPD says a search of the hotel room turned up a pistol and suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. Also found were items commonly used to sell and distribute illegal narcotics, including plastic baggies and scales.
Barnes and Yates face a string of charges that include:
- Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and a Firearm
- Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose to Deliver
- Possession of Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver
- 2 counts of Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver
- 2 counts of Possession of Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver
- Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver
- Possession of Schedule III controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver
- Use of Another Person’s Property to Facilitate Certain Crimes
- Maintaining a Drug Premises
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Additionally, Barnes is also charged with False Imprisonment and is an active parolee with the Arkansas Department of Community Correction.