Man arrested after allegedly attacking ex-girlfriend, stealing her pickup
Sheriff’s files
STEVEN MROSS
The Sentinel-Record staff
A local man was arrested on multiple charges Thursday evening after allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend at her residence and stealing her pickup.
William Eric Spence, 43, who lists “city streets” as his address, was taken into custody shortly before 7 p.m. and charged with a felony count of theft of property more than $5,000, punishable by up to six years in prison, and misdemeanor counts of third-degree domestic battery, terroristic threatening and harassment, punishable by up to one year in jail.
He was still being held without bond Friday on the battery charge, with bonds on the other charges totaling $4,500. He is set to appear Feb. 11 in Garland County District Court.
According to reports, Garland County sheriff’s Cpl. Josh Cannon and Deputy Stacy Morgan were dispatched to a residence in the 2500 block of Mountain Pine Road in Mountain Pine that was the home of a neighbor of the victim, 49, where she ran after the attack.
Morgan arrived and made contact with the victim, who stated that her ex-boyfriend, identified as Spence, had come to her residence and they had several people at the residence drinking. Once the party was over, Spence allegedly became angry and knocked the victim down, got on top of her and started choking her.
She states the suspect also told her he was going to kill her, but she was finally able to break free and run to the neighbor’s house to call the sheriff ’s department. She also noted Spence took her keys and left in her white and black 1991 Chevrolet 1500 pickup, valued at $5,000.
Cannon was still en route to the call when Morgan called him with a description of the stolen pickup and Cannon located it in the 2200 block of Mountain Pine Road and made a traffic stop.
Spence was taken into custody at that time without incident. The report notes the harassment charge stems from the fact the victim had obtained a court order barring Spence from any contact with her prior to the incident.
Morgan states he noted redness around the victim’s neck from where the suspect allegedly choked her.
The report also notes the victim’s pickup was towed back to her residence at her request due to the fact she was intoxicated and unable to drive it herself.
