MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)– One person is in custody after a barricade situation closed all lanes on I-40 in West Memphis, Arkansas.
The Arkansas State Police say 47-year-old Charles Ray Skinner of Lonsdale has been charged with aggravated assault, carrying a weapon, resisting arrest, parking on a highway and obstructing governmental operations.
According to ASP, a police incident was reported at around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday. Drivers who were traveling through West Memphis on I-40 came upon a vehicle blocking traffic in the westbound lane near the 279 mile marker.
ASP says the driver was reportedly armed with a pistol and was pointing the gun at drivers who had gotten out of their vehicles after a minor crash.
Arkansas State investigators said just after 6:30 Wednesday evening troopers attempted to force Skinner out of his Toyota Avalon. The 47-year-old ignored the repeated orders from state troopers.
ARDOT says all lanes, including the service roads on both sides of the interstate, were closed as a precaution.
Shortly thereafter, an armored truck moved in — forcing Skinner to give up.
As a reminder, an interstate shutdown, can happen anywhere at anytime.
This incident, came a week after a 6-hour standoff in Fayette County.
With the latest highway shutdown, Charles Ray Skinner remains behind bars in Crittenden County, with a nearly $8,000 dollars bond.
West Memphis City PIO Nick Coulter said state police had a suspect barricaded and the suspect was captured by the West Memphis SWAT Team without incident.
ASP says Skinner was transported to the Crittenden County Jail.
Skinner may stay behind bars for quite some time. After getting our hands on the five-page booking report, we learned he is facing several offenses. The most serious include disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and carrying a weapon.
