A 28-year-old Jonesboro man was arrested after police said he used a baby as a shield during a standoff to evade officers' custody.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the events unfolded on the night of Aug. 10, when Jonesboro police responded to a report of two vehicles colliding in the parking lot of 604 E. Highland Drive. Witnesses said the drivers had intentionally rammed into each other.
When officers arrived, they observed a Dodge Charger with significant front-end damage leaving the scene. Despite police activating lights and sirens, the driver refused to stop and continued to a residence in the 500 block of West Thomas Avenue, where he parked in a carport.
Police identified the driver as Jeremiah Isaiah Jones. Officers initiated a high-risk stop, ordering Jones to exit the vehicle at gunpoint. According to the affidavit, Jones exited but ignored commands to move toward officers. Instead, he shouted obscenities, including, "Just shoot me!"
In an alarming escalation, Jones called out to someone in the home, instructing a 13-year-old child to bring a 1-year-old baby to him. Despite officers' warnings, the 13-year-old complied and handed Jones the baby. Police report that Jones then held the baby tightly against his chest, positioning the child between himself and the officers.
As officers moved in to detain him, Jones resisted, refusing to release the baby. The affidavit stated, "His actions placed a wanton disregard for the child’s safety and could have resulted in the child being seriously injured." Officers were able to safely separate the child and take Jones into custody. No injuries were reported.
Further investigation revealed more details from the earlier vehicle collision. According to the affidavit, a woman at the scene reported that her car had been rammed by Jones while she and her 15-year-old son were inside. The woman, who said she was romantically involved with Jones and also lived at the West Thomas Avenue residence, told police the incident began after Jones accused her of infidelity.
Judge Thomas Fowler found probable cause on Wednesday to charge Jones and set his bond at $150,000 cash or surety. He is charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, aggravated assault, fleeing, resisting arrest, and first-degree criminal mischief. The judge also ordered Jones to have no contact with the victims. His arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 30.
No further details have been released regarding the victims or the ongoing investigation.