Would-be shoplifter arrested on multiple felony drug charges
A Hot Springs man who allegedly attempted to steal several items from a local sporting goods store was arrested Saturday on multiple felony drug charges involving meth, LSD and other narcotics.
Zachary Brooks Robertson, 34, was taken into custody shortly before 5:30 p.m. at Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports, 1530 Albert Pike, and charged with possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, meth, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, possession of drug paraphernalia and unauthorized use of property, each punishable by up to 20 years, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, involving
LSD and Buprenorphin, punishable by up to 10 years.
Robertson, who lists a Leatherwood Loop address, remained in custody in lieu of bonds totaling $30,500 and was scheduled for
a plea and arraignment hearing Wednesday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police responded to Trader Bill’s in reference to a disturbance and upon arrival Officer Justin Bradbury observed a man, later identified as Robertson, being held down on the ground behind the business by store employees.
After determining Robertson had a warrant for failure to appear, he was taken into custody. Employees stated Robertson had stolen property from the store and then fled when confronted. They said they chased him behind the business and Robertson pulled a knife and started swinging it at them “in an aggressive manner.”
One of the employees was reportedly cut on the hand during the confrontation, but the affidavit notes the employees recovered the stolen property and did not wish to pursue charges.
In searching Robertson, officers found a clear plastic bag with red circles and a bulldog stamp that contained 1.3 grams of what later tested positive for crystal meth. They also found a stainless-steel knife in his pants pocket.
Employees stated Robertson had been driving a 2014 Toyota Camry that was still in the parking lot. The vehicle was found to be registered to someone else.
In searching the vehicle, officers located a gray jacket and a zippered pouch that contained two plastic baggies with the same red circles and bulldog stamp on them. Both bags allegedly contained meth, a total of 11.6 grams. The pouch also contained two pieces of “sweet tart candy” with red dots in the middle believed to be LSD, about 4 grams.
The pouch also allegedly contained seven syringes and a metal spoon with meth residue. They also found a prescription bottle in someone else’s name containing 1.6 grams of Buprenorphin Sub, a scheduled III controlled substance, and digital scales with meth residue.
Agents with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force were notified and took over the investigation. The DTF is comprised of investigators from the Arkansas State Police, Garland County Sheriff’s Department, HSPD, 18th Judicial District East prosecuting attorney’s office and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.