A $25,000 secured bond was set for a Pine Bluff man accused of attempting to break into an elderly couple’s home while armed and later kneeing an officer in the face.
Pine Bluff District Judge Kim Bridgforth set the bond after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge 37-year-old Clayton Baldwin with 2nd-degree Battery, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Mischief.
Reading from an affidavit, the prosecuting attorney said officers were dispatched to 403 Pleasant Drive on June 10 in reference to an attempted home invasion. Upon arrival, officers observed a white male, later identified as Baldwin, attempting to gain entry into the residence.
Due to Baldwin’s erratic behavior, he was placed in the back of a patrol car while officers investigated.
Officers spoke with the homeowners, who said Baldwin appeared at their door and began banging on it while claiming someone was trying to kill him and that he wanted to come inside.
He continued pounding on the door, causing the elderly couple to fear for their safety.
They hid in a bedroom closet because they believed he was trying to break into the home. Baldwin then began striking a glass window, shattering it and further frightening the couple.
While an officer was interviewing the homeowners, banging could be heard coming from the patrol car.
Baldwin had kicked the rear door off its frame using both feet. Baldwin then asked an officer to retrieve his handgun from a flowerbed beneath the broken window. Investigators believe he may have used the firearm to break the window while attempting to gain entry into the residence.
Due to Baldwin’s condition, officers requested medical personnel.
According to the affidavit, Baldwin later spat through the cage of the patrol car, striking the back of an officer’s head.
When the officer attempted to remove him from the vehicle for medical treatment, Baldwin began screaming and kicking, ultimately kneeing the officer in the nose and causing a nosebleed.
Medical personnel requested that Baldwin be transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center for evaluation.
Baldwin was ordered to have no contact with the victims and is scheduled to return to court Aug. 3.
