At approximately 3:25am this morning our Kidnapping suspect, Jason Ripley, was arrested in Sevierville, TN. on our outstanding warrants of Kidnapping and Battery 1st. Also arrested was 28 year old Samantha Wright of Hot Springs. Wright has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and will also be charged with Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a class A Felony.
Information was received that led investigators to believe that Ripley was staying at the Days Inn on 65th Street in Little Rock. Sheriff Sanders, who was going to Little Rock, was briefed on the information and checked the hotel for the suspect vehicle at approximately 10:00pm on 05/08/12. A vehicle matching the description of one being driven by Ripley was located in the parking lot. Further investigation by the Sheriff revealed that the car was not our suspect vehicle, but that a room had in fact been rented by Wright and Ripley. The Sheriff was able to clear that room with the assistance of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. Our Investigators arrived on scene around 11:00 pm and were able to gain information that led them to believe Ripley and Wright had left the Little Rock area and may be staying in a motel in Sevierville, TN.
At approximately 2:45am the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the possibility that these two were staying in a local motel in their area. With the assistance of the Sevierville Police Department, the Sevier County S.O. was able to locate the suspect vehicle, determine the room number and take both Ripley and Wright into custody without incident.
