Man arrested for multiple crimes after alleged fight with SO officers

A Hot Springs man was arrested on several felony charges Friday night after he allegedly stood in the roadway and attempted to ram passing cars with a square beam and then scuffled with Garland County sheriff's deputies who responded.

Daniel Robert Beyer, 54, whose address is on Highway 7 North, was taken into custody at his home shortly before 6 p.m. He was charged with second-degree assault and three counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, each of which is punishable by up to six years in prison. He was also charged with resisting arrest, disturbing the peace and first-degree criminal damage.

Beyer, who has no prior criminal record, was initially held on $13,000 bail but pleaded not guilty to all charges in Garland County District Court on Monday and was later released on a reduced bail of $6,500. A felony review hearing is scheduled for Nov. 1.

According to the probable cause affidavit, officers were dispatched to the area of ​​Highway 7 North at the roundabout shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday, where a white, shirtless man allegedly attempted to ram passing vehicles with a beam of timber.

When officers arrived, they learned the man had traveled north to the 900 block of Highway 7, but was still attempting to hit vehicles with the piece of wood. Officers spotted a man matching the description, later identified as Beyer, in the yard of a residence, and when they made contact with him, he was “immediately aggressive and unruly.”

Beyer allegedly refused to comply with all commands to step down from an elevated porch leading to a trailer. As officers continued to attempt to “de-escalate the encounter,” Beyer allegedly grabbed a large, round wooden stake in one hand and held another piece of wood “as a shield” in the other hand.

He allegedly remained uncooperative and “used the wooden pole in an offensive manner” toward officers. He swung the pole toward an officer and made “sudden movements” to enter the mobile home, which it later turned out was his listed address.

One of the officers deployed his Taser, which caused “temporary neuromuscular paralysis.” Two officers climbed onto the porch while Beyer pulled out the Taser cords. While still on the ground, Beyer allegedly grabbed a nail gun, “pressed the muzzle of the weapon” into an officer's leg and attempted to fire it.

The deputy kicked the nail gun and then dropped it on Beyer to get him to comply, the affidavit states. During the altercation, Beyer allegedly punched the deputy in the face, causing a cut under his lip. Beyer was still holding the nail gun, so the deputy punched him in the face two or three times.

As other officers attempted to subdue Beyer, “pain medication” was used, including “pressure points in the mandibular area” and “joint manipulation,” including handholds. Beyer reportedly remained “very combative” and attempted to grab another nail gun, but officers were able to get it into their possession.

Other officers eventually completely disarmed Beyer and were eventually able to handcuff him. It was discovered that the boots of an Arkansas State Police trooper who had come to assist were damaged. The damage was estimated at $350, which led to the additional charge of criminal damage to property.

Beyer was eventually taken from the porch “still fighting,” taken to a unit and transported to prison.