Photos: Greg Garreans and Kip Swadley
Two armed men allegedly threatened a homeowner Thursday morning in Briarcliff, but when deputies arrived, the homeowner was holding them at gunpoint. According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, 29-year-old Greg Garreans and 28-year-old Kip Swadley of rural Mountain Home are in the Baxter County Detention Center on a felony count of aggravated assault, and a third suspect is on the run after fleeing from the scene. Investigators are attempting to identify the suspect referred to only as “Alex.”
Deputies responded to a call of armed persons threatening the homeowner of the residence on Ben Nevis Drive. When deputies arrived, one suspect was lying on the front yard, and another was lying on the driveway. The two men were identified as Garreans and Swadley.
Garreans stated he discovered his AR-style rifle missing from his residence Thursday morning and believed a former house guest took his rifle to the residence on Ben Nevis Drive. He and Swadley allegedly armed themselves with loaded 12-gauge shotguns and extra ammunition, as they went to the residence to retrieve the rifle. The third suspect accompanied them with a samurai-style sword.
When the trio arrived, Garreans reportedly went to the front door, Swadley stood next to a boat in the driveway, and the third suspect remained in the street. Garreans knocked on the door and asked for the man he believed had stolen his rifle. Instead, the homeowner reportedly came out, armed with a handgun, and Garreans complied with his instruction to drop his weapon. The homeowner then disarmed Swadley and instructed both men to get on the ground. The third suspect allegedly retreated in the vehicle they arrived in and fled the scene.
The homeowner told deputies when he opened the door, Garreans was pointing a shotgun at him, but he quickly convinced him to drop it. He then called 911 to report the incident, as he held Garreans and Swadley at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived. Surveillance footage from a video camera system at the residence reportedly confirmed the homeowner’s statement.
Bond for Garreans and Swadley was set at $10,000 each, and both are set to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court this month. Garreans is also charged with probation violation.
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