Authorities: Man robbed at knifepoint at canoe rental park

William Lee Smith
William Lee Smith

A Colcord, Okla. man was being held Tuesday on $250,000 bond in the Benton County Jail after his arrest in connection with robbing a man at knife point.

William Lee Smith, 28, was booked at 2:51 a.m. Monday in to the jail. He was arrested in connection with aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony; battery in the second degree, a Class B felony; and theft of property, a Class D felony. He was also arrested in connection with two counts of false imprisonment in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor and three counts of misdemeanor failure to appear.

According to court documents, a Benton County sheriff's deputy responded to an aggravated robbery call at 5 a.m. April 6 at 20466 Arkansas Highway 59 at the canoe rental park.

Correction

A previous version of this story misstated the day the incident took place. The error has been corrected.

Malcolm Campbell reported that he and a friend, Brad Wright, had been at the Cherokee Casino and he had won over $2,000, according to a probable cause affidavit. Campbell said the two left the casino and went to eat, then returned to their campers at the park, the affidavit states.

Campbell said they were sitting in Wright's camper when there was a knock on the door. Campbell said Smith was there with two women, the affidavit states. The women were identified as Kristen Ascencio and Joie Riddle. Campbell and Wright reported that they had also seen Riddle at the casino, according to court documents.

According to the affidavit, the trio came inside and Smith later wanted to know if Campbell wanted to buy a gold necklace for $100. Campbell said he told Smith he did not want to buy the necklace and then Smith stood up and hit him in the mouth then kneed him in the head, the affidavit states.

Campbell said Smith pulled out a knife from his pocket and demanded Campbell's wallet, the affidavit states. Campbell said Smith struck him a few more times while holding the knife and then he and the two women fled the scene, according to court documents.

Smith grabbed Campbell's wallet before leaving the camper, the affidavit states.

Campbell reported having a black wallet with $200 in one hundred dollar bills, a $20 bill, a $5 bill, and some $1 dollar bills, according to court documents.

Smith's arraignment is set for 8 a.m. July 21 in Circuit Judge Robin Green's court.

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