FAYETTEVILLE — Three people face felony charges after investigators said they robbed a taxi driver with a machete Friday morning on Betty Jo Drive.
Police arrested Alberto Delatorre, 18, of 115 Sunnydale Drive in Springdale and Javaughntaiye Jaamar Willis, 21, of 563 Betty Jo Drive in Fayetteville in connection with aggravated robbery, engaging in violent criminal group activity and theft of property. Willis also faces a charge of first-degree terroristic threatening.
Police Sgt. Craig Stout said a 17-year-old also was arrested in connection with the robbery. His name name is not being released because he is a juvenile.
Fayetteville officers were called to the area of Betty Jo Drive and Wedington Drive at 2:52 a.m. to investigate a robbery.
A driver for NWA Taxi told police he just dropped someone off at a residence on Betty Jo Drive.
Stout said the driver pulled over to write a report when he was approached by three men who demanded money.
According to an arrest report, one of the men held a machete to the taxi driver’s throat and threatened to kill him.
While checking the area, police noticed someone opened the door of 830 Betty Jo to “peek out” before closing the door, according to the report.
Officers said they knocked on the door, but no one would answer.
Eventually, police spoke with the occupants of the residence, and they allowed officers to search the home.
According to the report, detectives found a machete, along with the taxi driver’s wallet.
Willis and Delatorre hadn’t been booked into the Washington County Detention Center as of 4 p.m. Friday.