A local parolee has been arrested following an alleged kidnapping incident during the weekend. Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says 35-year-old Eli Weedman of Mountain Home was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center Monday on felony counts of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and parole violation, a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief and a penalty enhancement as a habitual offender. He is being held in lieu of $150,000 bond.
Deputies were dispatched Sunday to a residence on Old Tracy Road for a reported burglary. Weedman and an unidentified individual reportedly kicked in the door of the residence, and Weedman was allegedly carrying a handgun. Sheriff Montgomery says Weedman forced a female acquaintance at the residence to leave with him, and he allegedly took property belonging to the occupant.
Weedman was believed to be traveling to a residence on County Road 302. When deputies arrived, they found the vehicle Weedman and the female left in, but they were not at the residence. The homeowner reported Weedman and the female went to the back bedroom and soon left with two backpacks. The firearm Weedman was allegedly carrying, a .22 semi-automatic pistol, was located in the bedroom and taken into evidence.
The female was later able to leave Weedman, after he reportedly allowed her to call for a ride. She was located by deputies at her place of employment, and she verified Weedman came to her residence armed with a handgun. The victim stated Weedman pointed the gun at another individual at the residence and ordered her to leave with him. She reportedly believed Weedman would harm her if she refused. She also stated Weedman threatened her with bodily harm on Saturday.
Deputies were able to located Weedman Monday afternoon at a residence on South Street in Mountain Home and take him into custody following a citizen tip. Investigators reportedly were in the process of procuring an arrest warrant for Weedman. During the arrest, deputies allegedly located various articles of drug paraphernalia and prescription pills at the residence.
Twenty-five-year-old Samantha Weedman was also arrested at the South Street location and booked on felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released over two hours later on a $2,000 bond.
Eli Weedman has been booked into the Baxter County Detention Center 36 times since 2000. He and Samantha Weedman are both scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court. Charges are expected to be filed against Eli Weedman’s accomplice after the identity is determined.
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