On Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at about 1:38 a.m., officers with the Benton Police Department (BNPD) responded to a business alarm at Longhills Wine and Spirits on 437 N. Highway 5. Officers found the front door broken and the business was burglarized. Detectives were called and began working in connection with the Bryant Police Department who were working a similar burglary at Luigi’s Pizza in Bryant.
Darold Cross and Billy Rideout, both from Little Rock, were later located by Bryant PD Patrol Officers at a local bank. During the course of Bryant PD’s investigation, they notified BNPD and requested Detectives respond since the suspects had possibly committed the Benton burglary. BNPD Detectives arrived and arrested Darold and Billy in relation to the burglary at Longhills Wine and Spirit. A search warrant was obtained for the suspect vehicle which led to the discovery of suspected stolen money as well as tools and clothing believed to have been used in both burglaries.
Cross and Rideout were each arrested and charged with:
- 2 counts of Commercial Burglary Class C Felony,
- 1 count of Criminal Mischief Class D Felony,
- 1 count of Criminal Mischief Class A Misdemeanor,
- 3 counts of Breaking or Entering Class D Felony,
- 1 count of Theft of Property Class D Felony and
- 1 count of Possession of an Instrument of a Crime Class A Misdemeanor.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information concerning this incident are encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on iTunes and Google Play.
Follow BNPD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benton-Police-Department/221829174560849