Local man allegedly caught in the act of breaking into vehicle
A local man allegedly caught in the act of breaking into a car by the owner’s friend was arrested Monday after fleeing the scene on foot.
Ryan David Zembo, 30, who lists a Cash Street address, was taken into custody around 4:30 p.m. and charged with a felony count of breaking or entering, punishable by up to six years in prison.
He remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of a $2,500 bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
Zembo was arrested for felony breaking or entering on Dec. 29, 2020, in Saline County with a hearing in Saline County Circuit Court set for April 19. He had no prior felony arrests in Garland County but had several misdemeanor arrests and convictions for criminal mischief, criminal trespass and theft of property under $1,000.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 3:15 p.m. Monday, Hot Springs police were notified of a white male who had just broken into a vehicle at 1621 Albert Pike Road and was fleeing the area on foot.
Dispatchers broadcast a description of the suspect who was last seen headed toward Hammond Drive and officers located a man, later identified as Zembo, matching the description at the corner of Hammond and Cash Street.
A witness told police he and the vehicle owner were working at 1621 Albert Pike and when he came out of the building he saw an unknown man sitting in the driver’s seat of his friend’s gray 2005 GMC Yukon.
He noted the man had a handful of his friend’s belongings and when he saw the witness he threw the items back into the vehicle and fled.
Officer Kevin Moore spoke to the victim who had checked his vehicle and found several of his belongings, including his wallet, a flashlight, headphones, a coin purse and two pocket knives that had been either in his center console or the door pockets were all thrown onto the front seat.