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ARREST MADE IN ROBBERY ALLEGATION

By Ray King/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:29 AM CST

A reported robbery and beating on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff last week, resulted in the arrest of one person who allegedly admitted her involvement.

Lashunda Thomas, 21, reportedly told Investigator Eugene Butler, of the University Police Department, she was involved in the incident, Deputy Prosecutor Jill Reed said during a court hearing Monday.

Reading from an affidavit from Butler, Reed said Patricia Dorsey told campus police she was walking when she was beaten by three females, and her purse was stolen.

Reed said Dorsey reported the purse contained a digital camera, cell phone, jewelry, a wallet and cash, with a total value of $850.

Butler reported that police developed information that Thomas and two other people were involved, and when she was questioned, waived her right to an attorney.

Circuit Judge Jodi Dennis ruled prosecutors had probable cause to charge Thomas with robbery and third-degree domestic battery, and Reed said she had no information on the injuries received by Dorsey.

At Reed’s request, Dennis set a $5,000 bond for Thomas, and also ordered her to have no contact with Dorsey until the case is settled.

Also Monday, a $5,000 bond was set for Sheinetta Bledsoe, 34, after the judge ruled prosecutors had probable cause to charge her with aggravated assault.

Although the judge set a bond on that allegation, she told Bledsoe she would be held without bond because the Arkansas Department of Correction had issued a warrant charging her with being a parole absconder, and it would be up to ADC to decide when she would have a hearing on that allegation.

Regarding the aggravated assault, Reed said police were sent to a shoe store at 3007 Olive St., Friday where three witnesses reported seeing Bledsoe chase a woman around a vehicle while wielding a tire iron.

Detective Patrick Saffold reported that the victim, Jasmine Haynie, pulled out a knife for self defense, but only after Bledsoe had chased her with the tire iron.

Reed said Haynie had signed a letter to prosecutors saying she did not wish to prosecute Bledsoe, “because they use to be friends.”

Dennis ordered Bledsoe to have no contact with Haynie until the case is settled.

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