Arrest made after alleged attempted home invasion, gunfire
A felon with a lengthy criminal history was arrested on felony and misdemeanor warrants Tuesday for allegedly attempting to force his way into a local residence and shooting the resident’s car last week.
Ricky Lynn Batts Jr., 35, who lists a Murray Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 2:30 p.m. at the Hot Springs Police Department and charged with felony counts of attempted aggravated residential burglary, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to 20 years, and misdemeanor counts of first-degree criminal mischief and discharging a firearm in the city limits.
Batts was previously convicted in Garland County Circuit Court on June 11, 2012, of robbery, amended from an original charge of aggravated robbery, and residential burglary, amended from an original charge of aggravated residential burglary, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison on each count, to run concurrent, but had since been paroled.
Batts was also previously convicted of residential burglary in 2006 and possession of a firearm by
certain persons in 2011.
According to the probable cause affidavit on Monday’s arrest, on Nov. 23, police were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Wise Street regarding a criminal mischief. Upon arrival, it was discovered a Black male, later identified as Batts, had attempted to kick in the door to an apartment there.
After multiple failed attempts to kick the door in, while holding a handgun, Batts allegedly walked over to one resident’s black Toyota Camry and attempted to break a rear window out by hitting it with his hand and what appeared to be a firearm.
After multiple failed attempts to break the window, he reportedly stepped in front of the car and fired a round from the gun into the front driver’s side window, causing it to shatter, with damages estimated at $100
The two residents of the apartment told police they did not know Batts prior to this incident, but after it happened he allegedly contacted the female resident on Facebook. She said she told him he had no legal right to enter her apartment.
The incident was captured on security cameras at the apartment complex and the .footage was provided to police by the apartment management. Detectives were reportedly able to identify Batts from the footage and a warrant was issued.