‘Mayhem at Margarita’s’

Situation escalates, results in arrests at West Memphis eatery By John Rech

news@theeveningtimes.com

A birthday party gone wild in West Memphis gained interaction in social media and even got some play on Memphis television news. Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen said mayhem broke out as a brother and sister were arrested at Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant on Ingram Boulevard on December 29. An off duty deputy working security called West Memphis Police as the situation escalated leading ultimately to the arrest of a Angela Bohanon, 41-years-old, of Marion and Aaron Bohanon, 47-years-old, of Earle.

“There was drinking going on and someone video taped a guy who stood up and said he was going outside to slip and make them (the restaurant) pay for my dinner,” said Allen as he recounted watching the video replays.

A woman went out with the man and reported the flop on the sidewalk to which the restaurant hostess replied ‘be more careful.’ Threats ensued.

Allen said the confrontation turned into a profanity- laced argument.

She tried to fight with the hostess while an off duty deputy was working security. He contacted the West Memphis police.

“The videos showed Angela Bohanon kept being disorderly while on the ground with officers trying to arrest her,” said Allen. “Then officers pepper sprayed her and placed under arrest.”

Police charged Angela Bohanon with Battery 2nd Degree, with injuries to an officer while resisting arrest, Refusal to submit to Arrest Disorderly Conduct, and Terroristic Threatening 2nd Degree.

According to the sheriff, the woman’s brother, Aaron Bohanon, stepped in trying to prevent the arrest.

“He ended up pushing officers and one officer cut his hand while trying to handcuff him,” said Allen. “I think they tazed him.”

Police booked Aaron Bo- hanon for Disorderly Conduct, Battery 2nd Degree, and Resisting Arrest.

Mike Allen said the incident escalated to dangerous levels before arrests could be made.

“It was a fiasco; they (the Bohanon’s) almost induced a riot with the birthday party folks,” said Allen. “It was just mayhem with the party crowding the officers and the officers trying to get them to disperse. It was hairy for a little bit.”

The pair were booked around 1:00 a.m. on December 29. The sheriff dispelled a social media rumor.

“Somebody said West Memphis Police arrested a bunch of people for filming, and that did not happen,” said Allen.

The sheriff said all proper procedures were followed on the part of his deputy and considered the matter closed.

“As far as our officer goes, I did not see anything in either video or the report that would say our officer didn’t do everything within policy,” said Allen.