Alleged burglar at local car dealership resists, arrested on multiple charges
A local man arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly burglarizing a car dealership late Saturday was soon facing felony battery charges after reportedly fighting with deputies at the jail.
Donte Joseph Serrano,
21, who lists an Elkhorn
Loop address, was taken into custody shortly after 10:30 p.m. and later charged with commercial burglary, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, first-degree criminal mischief and two counts of second-degree battery, each punishable by up to six years, and misdemeanor counts of fleeing and public intoxication.
Serrano was initially being held on $35,000 bond and appeared via video Monday in
Garland County District Court where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Judge Joe Graham set his bond at $25,000 and he is set to appear July 15 for a felony review hearing. A court order was issued barring him from contact with the car dealership and deputies.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police Officer Tyler Cox responded to an alarm at Courtesy Auto Sales, 1225 Albert Pike Road, and upon arrival saw a man, later identified as Serrano, inside the main area of the business.
Serrano walked toward the front door carrying a coffee can and then walked toward a broken window on the east side, climbed out of it, dropped the can, which was full of coins, and then began running toward the back of the business.
Cox chased him and ordered him to stop running, which he ignored as he continued west toward Wynn Street. Cox displayed his Taser and warned Serrano he was going to deploy it and he reportedly fell to the ground and complied saying, “Please don’t Tase me.”
Serrano was taken into custody and several vehicle keys from the business were allegedly found in his pockets. Serrano reportedly stated he needed help due to being on “dope” and then he kicked his shoes off and told officers to search his shoes, which were found to be empty.
It was noted Serrano was having trouble standing and walking and had a strong odor of intoxicants about his person. He claimed he had been walking past the business when another man who was inside asked him to help him take the belongings and he was helping him when Cox arrived.
Cox noted Serrano was the only person seen inside the business and it was soon discovered the alarm system for the business had been destroyed. The total estimated damages to the window and alarm were $1,200.
It was noted the business was “ransacked” with papers strewed about the floor and numerous desk drawers open with their contents dumped out.
Serrano submitted to a Breathalyzer test which registered his blood alcohol content at 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit. While en route to the jail, he began head butting and kicking the cage in Cox’s patrol unit. Once at the jail, he allegedly fought with deputies, kicking two of them as they attempted to put him in a restraint chair.
The affidavit notes deputies had to deploy their Tasers multiple times before they were able to get him under control.