The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people Tuesday after a shot was fired near the Bears Den gas station at 282 Arkansas Highway 365, just outside Conway. Authorities said one round was discharged during a disturbance but no one was injured.
At 11:36 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to reports of a disturbance with shots fired near the gas station. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the involved parties had fled separately into the city of Conway. The Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as 36-year-old Angelo Lovre and 59-year-old Bridgette Jones.
Both suspects were arrested later Tuesday with help from the Conway Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. The coordinated effort led to their capture within Conway city limits.
According to a news release from the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office, Angelo Lovre faces several felony charges including two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of terroristic threatening. Meanwhile, Bridgette Jones is charged with a felony count of aggravated robbery and a misdemeanor charge related to interference with emergency communications.
The details surrounding the disturbance remain limited, but deputies confirmed that although a handgun was fired, no one suffered injuries during the incident. The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the shot being fired outside the busy gas station along Arkansas 365, a commonly traveled thoroughfare just south of Conway’s city center.
Residents in the area reported hearing the gunshot near the gas station, which serves as a frequent stop for locals and commuters alike. The Bears Den station sits near several small businesses and neighborhoods that could have been impacted had the situation escalated further.
The involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies demonstrates the seriousness with which the incident was handled, aiming to quickly prevent any further risks to public safety in a heavily trafficked area near Conway.
Bridgette Jones’ misdemeanor charge for interfering with emergency communications suggests there may have been attempts to delay or obstruct police response following the disturbance. This aspect, combined with the aggravated robbery felony charge, will remain focal points as the Faulkner County Prosecutor’s Office moves forward with the case.
While details have not been released publicly on the motive or what triggered the initial conflict, the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that community safety remains a priority. Their prompt response alongside the Conway Police and federal U.S. Marshals underscores cooperation across agencies when incidents cross jurisdictional lines.
The area along Arkansas 365 near the Bears Den often sees traffic between Conway’s southern entrances and points farther south in Faulkner County. The incident’s timing during a late morning hour raised concerns among local residents and business owners who frequented the gas station.
Previous coverage of public safety issues in Faulkner County has highlighted cooperation between agencies to swiftly respond to crimes that spill into Conway. This event continues that pattern, illustrating how local law enforcement responds when incidents threaten the calm of communities just a few miles outside the city’s core.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office. As the investigation develops, authorities are focused on ensuring those involved are held accountable while confirming no further public threat exists around Conway’s growing outskirts.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
