By Ray King
An investigation into the reported theft of a handgun that began in June resulted in the arrest of a Pine Bluff man who allegedly took the gun, then pointed it at the owner.
Jalen Hall, 19, was identified by the victim who told police he had known Hall from school, Deputy Prosecutor Karres Manning said during a court hearing Wednesday.
According to a probable cause affidavit from Detective Tamina Smith, the victim told police he was sitting in his vehicle on the parking lot of the Pine Bluff Food Mart at 3204 Old Warren Road and was talking on the phone when a man later identified as Hall opened the passenger door of the vehicle and took the gun
Manning said the victim told Hall to give the gun back and Hall allegedly pointed the gun at the victim and told the victim the “gun was taken.” Hall then got into a vehicle with a second male and left the store, with the victim following in his own vehicle. The victim also called 911 to report the theft.
Smith reported that the vehicle occupied by Hall stopped and he got out and again pointed the gun at the victim, who then stopped following the other vehicle.
Store video viewed by police showed Hall get out of a vehicle and walk to the vehicle of the victim on the parking lot, then open the door and take something out of the vehicle that looked like a gun, then leave.
Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set a $5,000 bond for Hall after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge him with aggravated assault, breaking or entering and theft of property. Hall said he would hire his own attorney and was ordered to have no contact with the victim until the case is settled.
