A Batesville man who had been banned from a local bank branch for causing problems found himself under arrest last week after he made another visit.
According to information from Independence County Circuit Court, Batesville Police responded to the St. Louis Street branch of Southern Bank on Aug. 9 in reference to Cleveland Ray Tidwell, 56. Bank officials said Tidwell would come into the bank and ask for money out of his account, only to be repeatedly told he did not have an active account with the bank. The bank staff said Tidwell would often become irate with employees and cause a disturbance.
In the arrest affidavit, authorities said BPD Patrolman Kody Headley told Tidwell that day that since the bank had banned him, he would be charged with criminal trespass if he returned. However, a few hours later Tidwell came back to the bank and again caused a disturbance over being unable to withdraw money from an active account he did not have, the affidavit said.
Officers then returned, only to find Tidwell had left the bank. He was found about two blocks away at a nearby gas station.
The affidavit said Tidwell resisted after being told to turn around for hand restraints, but he was eventually cuffed and taken into custody within a few minutes. During the struggle, Tidwell allegedly bit Headley’s right ring finger, causing visible injury, according to the court information.
Tidwell was taken to the Independence County Jail. He has been charged with one felony count of second-degree battery, one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, and one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass. His bond was set at $10,000.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
