The Benton Police Department says investigators have linked three men picked up late last night in a Bryant robbery to four recent business robberies in their city.
Justin Pettis, 23, Tony Smith, 28, and Mike Waller, 35, all of Little Rock, are being held in the Saline County Jail.
They were
arrested late Thursday night after police say they were spotted leaving the scene of a robbery at a gas station just off Interstate 30.
Benton Police say one of the robberies the men are charged with in Benton happened at Taco Bueno. The suspects were also reportedly connected to three convenience store robberies in late 2012 at a Shell Station and a Phillips 66.
Pettis is charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Robbery, Theft of Property (Felony), and 7 counts of Kidnapping.
Smith is charged with 4 counts of Aggravated Robbery, 3 counts of Theft of Property (Felony), 7 counts of Kidnapping, and 1 count of Theft (Misdemeanor).
Waller is charged with 3 counts of Aggravated Robbery, 2 counts of Theft (Felony), and 7 counts of Kidnapping.
Police say Smith is an AR Department of Community Corrections parolee.
This is an on-going investigation and further charges could be forthcoming in the case. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at (501) 778-1171 or (501) 315-TIPS.
Anonymous tips can also be texted to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text.
