Arraignment set for woman accused of trying to rob Realtor in Fayetteville

 Amilya Barcenas Amilya Barcenas
Amilya Barcenas Amilya Barcenas

FAYETTEVILLE -- A woman who police say pulled a gun on a female Realtor and attempted to rob her while the agent was showing a home Friday morning was bailed out of the Washington County jail and given an arraignment date.

Amilya Dawn Barcenas, 25, of 181 S. Ray Ave. was released Monday on a $100,000 bond. Her arraignment is set for May 27 in Washington County Circuit Court.

Barcenas was arrested Friday on preliminary charges of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and second-degree criminal mischief. Prosecutors are expected to file formal charges against Barcenas sometime before her arraignment.

The case is under investigation and police haven't released the name of the real estate agent and her company.

Police said the agent was showing a house to Barcenas about 9:30 a.m. Friday. When the agent stopped to prepare paperwork, Barcenas took a gun out of a diaper bag and pointed it at her, according to the police report.

Barcenas, who called herself Makayla, threw a zip tie on the counter and told the agent to tie herself up with it, but she refused, police said.

Barcenas then said she needed to go to an ATM and withdraw money, according to the report. When Barcenas put down her gun, the agent ran to a neighboring home, according to the report.

Police found Barcenas about 30 minutes later wearing clothing like the agent described, according to the report. Barcenas also had a diaper bag where police found a loaded .38 revolver, according to the report.

Beverly Carter of Scott was killed while showing a house this past September. Her body was found days later in a shallow grave near Cabot. Two people later were charged with capital murder and kidnapping.

Carter's death led to a national outcry over safety for real estate agents. Several local police departments began holding special sessions to teach agents how to be safer while showing homes, police spokesmen said last year.

NW News on 04/28/2015

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