Suspect Accused of Threatening Victim With Knife, Damaging Vehicle in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. — A man was arrested after Jonesboro police said he damaged a vehicle, assaulted a victim and threatened him with a pocketknife during an incident on Medallion.

Tyler M. Phillips, 30, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening, a Class D felony, along with misdemeanor counts of first-degree criminal mischief and third-degree battery, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Jonesboro Police Department.

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According to the affidavit, officers responded March 30 to an address on Medallion for an assault or battery in progress.

When officers arrived, the victim told police Phillips had come to the residence, damaged a vehicle, physically assaulted him and threatened him with a pocketknife.

The victim said the two had been in a verbal argument over a child being left at soccer practice. After he and family members returned home, he noticed the door handle on his truck had been broken off, according to the affidavit.

Police said the victim reported that Phillips returned to the residence a short time later and that a physical altercation began between the two.

The victim told officers Phillips punched him in the face, causing injuries including scratches to his left cheek, left elbow, right knee and a scraped right middle finger, according to the affidavit.

The victim also said Phillips then went to his vehicle, retrieved a pocketknife and approached him while yelling, “What now” before stopping at about 4 to 5 feet away. The victim told police he feared Phillips was going to stab him and grabbed a broom to defend himself, prompting Phillips to stop advancing and leave the scene, according to the affidavit.

Police said home surveillance footage showed Phillips at the residence before the victim arrived. In the video, Phillips could be seen slamming his hand into the front door repeatedly before going into the driveway, according to the affidavit.

Investigators also said Phillips was seen holding a bat while yelling for people to come outside. Additional video footage captured part of the physical altercation, police said.

A bench warrant for Phillips’ arrest was issued on April 1. He was arrested on April 2 and taken to the Craighead County Detention Center, according to the affidavit.

Phillips’ next court date is May 18. Bail was set at $25,000 cash or surety, and a no-contact order was added.

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