Suspect wounded by pepper ball during struggle with Alexander Police

An individual was arrested after threatening a tow truck driver with a small handgun. Alexander Police officers responded to a 911 call from employees at the Knollwood Mobile Home Park office on the morning of May 8, 2026. The suspect has been identified as 24 year old Alan Valenciano Hernandez.

Alan Valenciano
Hernandez

According to a police report, filed by East End Towing driver Adam Kincer, Valenciano Hernandez allegedly “brandished a small pistol” when Kincer tried to tow one of his vehicles. Kincer stated he told Valenciano Hernandez “go talk to the office” about his cars being towed. Kincer says when Valenciano Hernandez walked away he called the Knollwood office to warn them Valenciano Hernandez was on his way and he was armed.

In her statement to police Knollwood employee Heather Weyler said, “I called East End Towing around 9:00 AM to tow 3 vehicles. This resident has been given multiple violations for registering and removing vehicles.”

Responding to the 911 call from a Knollwood employee, Alexander Police Officer Mendez arrived to the scene about 9:31 AM. In his Use of Force report Officer Mendez states, “I exited my patrol vehicle and drew my service pistol and issued verbal commands instructing Mr. Valenciano to turn away from me with his hands in the air.”

After Officer Mendez repeated the command several times, “Mr. Valenciano turned away with his hands in the air. I approached Mr. Valenciano to detain him when he reached into his right rear pocket, I quickly grabbed his hand to avoid him pulling anything out.”

It was at this point the struggle began.

“I attempted to take him to the ground to gain control,” Officer Mendez states in his report. “While I continued to gain control a bystander attempted to assist by holding one of Mr. Valenciano's arms. Sgt. Myers arrived shortly thereafter and assisted me using soft hand control techniques to subdue Mr. Valenciano.”

Police Chief Timothy Preator arrived while the officers were still trying to handcuff Valenciano.

“I yelled to the officers that I was deploying JPX pepper system,” Chief Preator states in his Use of Force report. “I discharged my JPX pepper system from approximately 4.5 to 5 feet way to the suspects facial area.”

“I pulled the suspect to the ground by his hair and he continued to resist arrest,” Chief Preator continued. “I performed knee strikes to the suspects rib area and gave verbal commands to stop fighting. The suspect was eventually taken into custody without further incident.”

Valenciano Hernandez was transported to UAMS for medical treatment to his eye and cleanup from the pepper ball. Officers, within proximity of the pepper ball when it was deployed, were treated at the scene and then transported to Saline Memorial for checkups.

Valenciano Hernandez was booked at the Saline County Detention Center on May 8 and released on May 19. He has been charged with one count of Resisting Arrest, one count of Refusal To Submit To Arrest, two counts of Battery - 2nd Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Carrying A Weapon.

While being searched by police, a Ruger .380 and four rounds of ammunition were allegedly discovered. According to one report the firearm and ammunition were transferred to the ATF in Little Rock “in a transfer of responsibility.” “The ATF has decided to move forward with a federal indictment on weapons charges.”