FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KFSM) — A suspect who staged a nine-hour standoff with police posted videos declaring he and his wife were like the infamous bank-robbing duo Bonnie and Clyde, according to an arrest affidavit.
Austin Edward Wenger, 26, was arrested Friday (Sept. 6) in connection with attempted capital murder of a police officer, three counts of kidnapping, first-degree criminal mischief and possession of a firearm by certain persons.
Fayetteville police said Wenger fired at a vehicle Thursday (Sept. 5) night after an argument at the Bedford Loop Apartments. He struck the vehicle two times before driving off.
The next morning police learned Wenger was at an apartment at the Greens at Lakeside Village, where he barricaded himself inside with his wife, Megan Wenger, and three children, according to the affidavit.
Police said Austin Wenger refused direct requests to surrender or release the children, who did not belong to Austin Wenger.
They said he posted videos to social media bragging about the shooting, showed off a gun, threatened police officers, and referred to he and his wife being like Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who garnered international fame for a string of bank robberies and murders in the 1930s.
Police said Megan Wenger was smiling in the video and waiving to the camera.
He fired twice from the house, with one bullet nearly striking a police officer outside the complex.
One of the children later told police Megan Wenger concealed a toy gun in a towel to look more real. The child also said Megan Wenger was Austin Wenger's "ride or die," according to the affidavit.
Police used gas canisters to eventually draw Wenger from inside the apartment around 4 p.m. The children had escaped on their own through a back window earlier in the standoff.
Wenger caused roughly $10,000 in damage to the apartment by barricading the doors and trying to access a crawl space in the ceiling, according to the affidavit.
Megan Wenger, 23, was also arrested. She faces charges of hindering apprehension and second-degree criminal mischief.
Sgt. Anthony Murphy, public information officer for Fayetteville police, said an emergency response team, a crisis negotiation team, Washington County deputies and the Springdale Police assisted at the scene.
About 50 officers were involved in the negotiation process.
Austin and Megan Wenger were being held at the Washington County Detention Center with no bond set.
Wenger was sentenced in 2014 to 12 years in prison for shooting at his pregnant girlfriend.
Stay with 5NEWS for more information on this developing story.
