Two individuals were caught in the act by Benton Police on Thursday night. Benton Police Officers responded to a call at the former UALR Benton Campus at 410 River Street. Neighbors said there were two males inside the building with flashlights. The first officer on the scene said that while he waited for other officers to arrive, he heard people talking in the building, then saw someone reach through an open window on the south side, 2nd floor.
When more officers arrived, they entered the building through an unlocked door and located two subjects, Patrick Gillespie and James Harper, in a room on the 1st floor. The men were called out of the room one at a time at gunpoint. Officers secured the two men and cleared the rest of the building.
Officers started in the report that they smelled a strong odor of intoxicants, and the men’s speech was slow and slurred at times. They stated they had been drinking in memorial to a friend that recently passed away. The two claimed they formerly worked at the UALR building and wanted to take a trip down “memory lane.” They also stated that they knew they weren’t supposed to be there.
Prior to exiting the building, officers searched the building again and it was apparent that the men did not bring any tools with them, nor was there any damage to property, or property gathered for taking with them, so there was no indication their intent was to commit burglary. The suspects also locked doors back afterward.
Officers determined the appropriate charge was Trespassing. Along with that, because of the danger to the men by entering the building while inebriated, the fact that it was a citizens alarmed call, and the response it generated by law enforcement, the additional charge of Public Intoxication was added to each of the men.
The Saline County Jail is not currently holding for minor non-violent offenses, due to the pandemic, so Gillespie and Harper were released in the care of their friends, who also took possession of Gillespie’s vehicle.