Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

78-year-old arrested at Gurdon Senior Center

An alleged assault at the Gurdon Senior Adult Center on Friday, Dec. 14 resulted in the arrest of one senior citizen and injuries to two others.

Gurdon Police were called to the center on South Main Street at 10:45 a.m. Friday after a call was received requesting officers come to the center now, according to a report on file at the Gurdon Police Department. When the police arrived, Central Arkansas Development Center Senior Center Director Royce Ann Barbaree said that she and two others in the center had been assaulted by Alvin Sandidge, 78, of 159 Sandidge Road, according to the report.

The report indicates that Sandidge had caused problems the day prior and had been asked not to return by Barbaree. When he came to the center on Friday she reportedly asked him to leave, but instead of complying the report says he struck her on her left side before pushing her into a desk.

Two men, ages 72 and 90, both of Gurdon, came to Barbarees assistance, and they too were reportedly attacked by Sandidge.

According to the report, one of them was hit several times in the face and neck, and was then knocked to the ground and kicked in the stomach several times. He was taken by private vehicle to Baptist Health Medical Center - Arkadelphia.

The second man was reportedly struck on the left side, and his glasses were broken.

According to the report, another man, who was also at the center, escorted Sandidge outside.

Sandidge was arrested and taken to the Gurdon Police Department where he was released with two citation for simple third degree battery and one citation for third degree battery with injuries.