Police Say Northwest Arkansas Trio's Murder Plot Began Months Ago

Michael Lee Roberts
Michael Lee Roberts

BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man told police a plot to kill a Texas woman began four months ago, according to court documents.

Michael Roberts, 24, of Bentonville; Theron Alan Vance, 21, of Rogers; and Jason Patrick Petitt, 24, of Bentonville were arrested in connection with the scheme to kidnap and kill the Dallas woman.

At A Glance

About The Case (w/logo)

Murder Plot

Michael Lee Roberts, 24, of Bentonville was arrested in connection with kidnapping, intimidating a witness and coercion. He is also being held on an out-of-state warrant for aggravated kidnapping.

Theron Alan Vance, 21, of Rogers, was arrested in connection with conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping.

Jason Patrick Petitt, 24, of Bentonville was arrested in connection with conspiracy to commit murder.

Roberts’ arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. July 21 in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s court. Vance’s and Petitt’s arraignments are set for 8 a.m. July 28 in Circuit Judge Brad Karren’s court.

Prosecutors haven’t filed formal charges against the men.

Source: Staff Report

The woman was able to give a note to an employee at the Walmart Supercenter on South Walton Boulevard on Saturday. The note said the woman had been kidnapped. She locked herself in the store restroom until police arrived.

Police said the woman claimed she was attacked from behind by Roberts as she walked into her apartment Friday night. The woman told police Vance was with Roberts, the woman's former boyfriend.

She was then forced to pack a suitcase and was brought to Roberts' apartment in Bentonville.

Roberts and the woman went to lunch Saturday. They then stopped at Walmart where she able to give the employee the note. Roberts fled the scene before police arrived. He was arrested later that day. Vance and Petitt were arrested two days later.

Police in Texas warned Roberts about contacting the woman after she filed complaints against him. Roberts was also arrested in Texas in connection with a disturbance involving a knife and the woman.

Vance told police he's in the National Guard with Roberts. Vance said Roberts expressed his hatred toward the woman to a point Vance also became angry with her. Vance said a felony charge would ruin Roberts' military career.

Vance told police they began to plan how to kill the woman and make it look like a suicide four months ago.

Roberts and Vance previously drove to Dallas to "scout" the area and find out what type of vehicle the woman drove. They also watched her leave work.

Vance said they drove to Dallas on June 12 and followed the woman from work, but lost her in traffic. The next day Roberts, driving Vance's vehicle, was able to follow the woman to her apartment. Roberts later was able to attack her from behind, according to court documents.

Police said the plan was for Roberts to overpower the woman, take her in her bedroom and cut her wrists with a razor blade they brought with them. Robert changed his mind and told the woman she could come with him or die.

Vance told police he and Roberts left their cellphones with Petitt so it would appear they never left Bentonville. Petitt was going to use Roberts' cellphone, wear his clothes and use his debit card to make it seem Roberts never left the area.

Petitt said he used Roberts' debit card multiple times to buy gas, cigarettes or alcohol. He also used Roberts cellphone to send Roberts' mother a message implying he was Roberts.

Bentonville police also found a bag that with a blond wig, sunglasses, clothing, razor blades, plastic ties and a book on human anatomy.

The three men are being held in the Benton County Jail.

Roberts' bond is $150,000; Vance's bond is $125,000; and Petitt's bond is $100,000.

NW News on 06/20/2014

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