Benton County Deputies Arrest Man after 3-Hour Standoff
By: KNWA-TV, Fayetteville
Updated: January 10, 2013
Law enforcement officials in Benton County have arrested a man after after a three-hour standoff just off of Highway 12 near Prairie Creek.
Deputies say Dennis Melchert, 50, of Rogers, is now in custody, facing a charge of terroristic threatening.
According to officials on the scene, Melchert barricaded himself in a home after an argument with his roommate Rory Anderson.
Investigators believe Melchert threatened Anderson with a gun.
After negotiations failed, the SWAT team was brought in. After tear gas was thrown into the home, Melchert was forced outside.
Anderson told investigators that Melchert is from Iowa and has only been in Arkansas about nine months.
According to Anderson, Melchert spent the last three days on a drinking binge and has been posting erratic messages on his Facebook page.
Witnesses on the scene reported Melchert appeared to be intoxicated when he came out of the house Thursday and was arrested. He also had a cut on his face, they said.
Deputies say Dennis Melchert, 50, of Rogers, is now in custody, facing a charge of terroristic threatening.
According to officials on the scene, Melchert barricaded himself in a home after an argument with his roommate Rory Anderson.
Investigators believe Melchert threatened Anderson with a gun.
After negotiations failed, the SWAT team was brought in. After tear gas was thrown into the home, Melchert was forced outside.
Anderson told investigators that Melchert is from Iowa and has only been in Arkansas about nine months.
According to Anderson, Melchert spent the last three days on a drinking binge and has been posting erratic messages on his Facebook page.
Witnesses on the scene reported Melchert appeared to be intoxicated when he came out of the house Thursday and was arrested. He also had a cut on his face, they said.
