Parolee arrested on gun, drug counts

A Little Rock man who was shot in a suspected drug deal earlier this year was arrested Wednesday after police said they found him in possession of marijuana and a handgun.

Police and Arkansas Department of Correction parole officers arrested Patrick Hardy about 4:40 p.m. in the 7200 block of Geyer Springs Road. Hardy had a pistol and about 24 grams (0.5 ounce) of marijuana, according to an arrest report.

Police later obtained a warrant to search Hardy’s home at 24 Saxony Circle. They reported finding about 4.5 ounces of marijuana and scales with drug residue.

Court records show that Hardy, 26, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2012 on drug and theft convictions, but was released on parole earlier this year. Wednesday marked his third run-in with police since then.

In May, he was shot in his Lincoln Town Car during a drug deal in the 6400 block of Baseline Road, according to police. Officers seized $1,000 from the scene as evidence.

In September, officers stopped Hardy in the 7200 block of Colonel Glenn Road for traffic violations. They reported finding a jar containing bags of marijuana and $1,549.37 in his Town Car. The money and the vehicle were seized as evidence, and Hardy was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

In his latest arrest, Hardy was charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; possession of a firearm by certain persons; maintaining a drug premises near a drug-free zone; possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hardy was being held in the Pulaski County jail late Thursday.