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Sep 25, 2023

Man arrested after crashing truck into HSPD’s fence, gate

A local man was arrested late Wednesday after he reportedly crashed into the fence surrounding the back parking lot of the Hot Springs Police Department and damaged the entry gate while allegedly

A local man was arrested late Wednesday after he reportedly crashed into the fence surrounding the back parking lot of the Hot Springs Police Department and damaged the entry gate while allegedly "high on meth."

Leopoldo Dominicio Apodaca, 40, who lists an Adcock Road address, was taken into custody around 8:15 p.m. and charged with a felony count of first-degree criminal mischief, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and was cited for careless and prohibited driving.

Apodaca remained in custody Thursday on a $10,000 bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.

According to court records, he was convicted in 2011 of first-degree criminal mischief and sentenced to four years in prison; convicted of felony domestic battery in 2015 and sentenced to four years' supervised probation; and convicted in 2018 of second-degree battery and sentenced to 30 days in jail with 330 days suspended, all in Union County. He was convicted in Garland County on Sept. 21, 2022, of driving while intoxicated, third offense, and endangering the welfare of a minor and sentenced to 90 days in jail and one year of supervised probation.

According to the probable cause affidavit for Wednesday's arrest, shortly after 8 p.m., a white GMC Sierra pickup truck drove through the fence at the southeast corner of the back parking lot of the police department at 641 Malvern Ave., damaging approximately 50 feet of fence and a fence post.

The driver, later identified as Apodaca, then allegedly drove recklessly through the parking lot "at a high rate of speed," striking and damaging the "Professional Standards" sign, and then rammed the metal entrance gate and gate card reader/entry pad system.

The affidavit notes about 70 feet of chain-link fence, the gate, card reader entry pad system and an exterior camera/intercom system were all damaged, for an estimated total of over $25,000.

After crashing into the gate, Apodaca exited the truck and allegedly ran up to the back door of the police department where he grabbed a wooden and metal bench and "appeared to be preparing to throw it through the glass doors" before he was approached by Lt. Kenny May, who took him into custody.

It was noted Apodaca did not cause any damage to the doors or the bench.

After being read his rights, Apodaca reportedly told police he was "high on meth" and believed he was being followed by a subject on a motorcycle and was "trying to get the attention of the police."

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