Robbery Suspect Was Found Hiding in Kitchen Cabinet

JONESBORO, Ark. — The police stand-off on Monday in Jonesboro that led to two arrests has been detailed more in probable cause affidavits released today.

The PC affidavit states on Friday, Sept. 13, when officers were dispatched to a residence on Melrose following a reported robbery on Sept. 8 where the alleged victim stated she had friends over and one of the friends brought a guest named Daquon McCarther. At some point, the alleged victim stepped outside. When she returned, she noticed McCarther going through her purse.

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Things went from bad to worse when McCarther was confronted. The affidavit says he became violent, pointed a handgun at the victim, and physically assaulted a victim and a male friend of the victim. He then allegedly took the male victim’s car key fob, but he was unsuccessful in starting the car and fled the scene on foot.

Later in the day, he returned to the scene and with a handgun, robbed the male victim of his vehicle, then escaped from the scene, the affidavit alleged.

On Sept. 17, officers attempted to locate McCarther at an apartment on Belt Street, where he was reportedly staying with his girlfriend, Margarita Jasmine Rocha. Rocha was also a suspect in the first aggravated robbery. Officers arrived and positioned at both the front and back of the home. One officer observed someone remove the screen from a window and attempt to climb out, before apparently retreating back into the home.

An officer used a key to open the front door and made contact with Rocha, who claimed to have just woken up and denied knowing if anyone else was in the apartment. She was taken into custody and confessed that McCarther was hiding inside.

JPD’s SWAT team entered the apartment and located McCarther hiding in a kitchen cabinet. He was taken into custody without further incident.

McCarther faces two charges of aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony, and theft of a vehicle valued at $25,000 or more, a Class B felony. Just for the Class Y felonies alone, he could face up to life in prison. On Wednesday, Sept. 18, his bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety by Judge David Boling.

Rocha faces one charge of aggravated robbery and a charge of hindering apprehension, a Class B felony. On Wednesday, her bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety by Judge Boling.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.