A Poplar Bluff man wanted for hijacking, assault and kidnapping was arrested Monday after allegedly breaking into a home.
Police were dispatched to the 1100 block of Delano Street around noon to a call for burglary and assault, officials reported.
Bryce D. Davis, 31, who has had warrants for his arrest since early November, allegedly broke into the home while the woman who lived there was asleep and assaulted her. Her dog intervened, distracting Davis and allowing the alleged victim to escape and dial 911, police said.
Police surrounded the house and ultimately went inside to arrest Davis, who officers report refused to exit the building.
Davis had previously been sighted with a short-barreled AR-15 during the weeks police searched for him, according to Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley. Officers did not know if he was armed when they arrived at the residence on Delano, Whiteley said.
“I want to commend the officers on dealing with a dangerous individual that had been seen several times with a short-barreled AR-15. And we weren’t sure if he was armed or not,” Whiteley said, adding no weapon was found at the scene.
Davis was taken to the Butler County jail, where he will be held without bond. Charges are now being filed for burglary and assault.
Davis’ previous charges are a Class A felony of vehicle hijacking involving either a serious physical injury, a deadly weapon, a dangerous instrument and/or a vulnerable person; the unclassified felony of armed criminal action; second-degree domestic assault; second-degree kidnapping; unlawful possession of a firearm; tampering or attempting to tamper with a victim in a felony prosecution; and the Class E felony of unlawful use of a weapon.
On Nov. 8, Davis allegedly picked a woman up from work and attempted to take her vehicle, holding her at gunpoint when she refused to hand it over and driving her around for approximately 45 minutes before taking her home. Davis then reportedly attempted to push her out of the vehicle and take it, at which time the alleged victim said she put the vehicle in park and took the keys.
Davis allegedly began hitting her in the head and put her in a chokehold, at which time the alleged victim’s father came outside. According to reports made to police, Davis let her go and then threatened her, saying he would shoot her and her family if she contacted the police.