FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) has arrested 26-year-old Cody Gardner after he allegedly kidnapped and tried to rape a woman.
According to the FPD, a woman was at a party on the night of April 13 when police arrived, causing people to "scatter." When this happened, the woman said she got separated from her friend and her phone's battery had died.
The woman was standing by the street alone when Gardner approached her offering help, FPD said. The woman stated he asked if she needed a ride, to which she declined, saying she "wanted to find her friend."
The report said Gardner left to look for the friend and later came back and told the woman he could not find her, and offered her a ride again. At this time, the woman accepted.
Alleged Kidnapping
When the alleged victim got in Cody's vehicle, the report said she noticed another man was inside, and that they were not headed in the direction of her home.
Gardner reportedly told her they were going to his house because "he doesn't give rides for free," according to the report. The woman states she started panicking and crying and asked him to let her out of the car, to which Gardner refused.
The report states that when they arrived at Park Lake Apartments on Zion Road, Gardner got out of his truck and told the woman to get out. The alleged victim refused but Gardner reportedly pulled her by the arm and "walked" her to the apartment with the other man.
The report states that once inside the apartment, the woman continued to cry and asked for a phone charger. Gardner allegedly told her she didn't need one.
Attempted rape
The report states Gardner blocked the door and "began to request sexual acts" from her, saying he "didn't give rides for free," and she was going to "give him some play."
The woman continued to say no and asked him to let her go. Gardner again refused, but this time he reached for a handgun sitting on a fireplace of the apartment, the report said. Although the woman said Gardner never pointed the gun directly at her, she said he was holding it when insisting on the sexual acts.
At this point, the other male reportedly stepped in and told Gardner he was "taking things too far." Gardner then put the gun away and they started to move away from the door and started whispering to each other, the report said.
Escape
According to the report, the woman took this opportunity and ran out the front door. The report states that although Gardner got a hold of her, she managed to pull away. While running, the woman started knocking on doors looking for help. The man who was with Gardner allegedly chased after her and offered his phone to her. The woman accepted the phone and called for help and stayed outside until her friend arrived.
Investigation
According to police, the alleged victim and a friend reported the incident at the Fayetteville Police Department the next day and were interviewed by police on April 15. Investigators were able to access Ring doorbell security video showing the woman running down the stairs "visibly upset and crying."
On April 19, in an interview with police, Gardner gave "a vague account of the events," but admitted to having taken the woman to an apartment, and having a pistol at the apartment that night that matches the woman's description, the report said.
Arrest
Gardner was then arrested and charged with kidnapping, attempted rape, and aggravated assault. According to the arrest report, he is currently being held on a $100,000 bond and is due in court for a hearing on May 20.
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