Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Gutierrez pleads guilty to robbery, battery

- Ron Wood can be reached by email at rwood@nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWARDW.

FAYETTEVIL­LE — Melvin Erick Gutierrez, 22, of Fayettevil­le pleaded guilty Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court to aggravated robbery, second-degree battery and first-degree terroristi­c threatenin­g.

Gutierrez was sentenced to 20 years, with half that time suspended, on the robbery charge and six years each on the battery and terroristi­c threatenin­g charges. The sentences will run consecutiv­ely at the Arkansas Department of Correction. Gutierrez was given credit for 53 days of jail time served.

Gutierrez and a woman met online and had been on a date in June, according to Fayettevil­le police. The woman said she was attacked after she dropped Gutierrez off at his apartment.

Gutierrez told the woman he had a “gift” for her and asked her to wait while he went inside his apartment, according to police. When he returned, Gutierrez pulled out a kitchen knife and told the woman he needed her car.

The two struggled, and Gutierrez tried to push her out of the car, according to the report. Gutierrez slashed at the woman while she pushed the car horn and screamed for help, according to the report.

The woman was cut twice on her right arm, but her injuries weren’t life-threatenin­g, according to the report.

Gutierrez fled but left documents that identified him in the car, according to the report. Police arrested Gutierrez nearby.

Gutierrez apologized to the woman during his plea hearing.

 ??  ?? Gutierrez
Gutierrez

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States