Bicyclists’ Complaints Net Arrest Of Man

— A Hiwasse man was being held in the Benton County Jail on Tuesday because he intentionally swerved toward bicyclists on a Benton County road, according to authorities.

Mitchell Jacob Kanton, 53, of 13531 Arkansas 72 in Hiwasse was arrested Tuesday in connection with felony aggravated assault.

“About a week and a half ago, a friend of mine called who’s a big bike rider,” said Capt. Mike Jones, head of the field division for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. “He said he was riding Arkansas 72 and there was a car crowding him. He said others had expressed the same concern.”

A deputy was sent to take reports from the bicyclists, Jones said. The deputy learned the practice had happened to different bicyclists for more than a year.

Investigators said four cyclists came forward with complaints.

One cyclist reported being bumped by the car’s mirror, Jones said. The other three riders told authorities the car swerved at them.

“They all reported the same type of car,” Jones said. “It had some real descriptive markings on it.”

Investigator Wes Bryant said he sent deputies to Kanton’s house and found a car that matched the description given by the cyclists.

“We interviewed the guy,” Bryant said. “He told us he never loans the car out. We had deputies stop him over the weekend going over the fog line several times. We believe he’s the driver.”

Jones said Kanton denied swerving toward bicyclists.

No one was seriously injured in the incidents, Jones said.

No bond was set for Kanton on Tuesday.

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