Bryan Smith, 33, of Belle, was arrested by Major Scott John and Corporal Erican Sugg on June 25 and charged with two counts of alleged 1st degree kidnapping (Class B Felony) and two counts of armed criminal action (unclassified felonies).

John said on July 2 they believe Smith, who was placed on probation in May for assault in the 4th degree in a separate case, was attempting to eliminate some of his debt with his bondsman by catching someone who had skipped out on their bond. The incident allegedly took place on June 15.

“We don’t have all of the details, but what we suspect is (Smith’s) bondsman was trying to find this guy and (Smith) was trying to get money off what he owed,” John said. “He went to these people’s house (unbeknownst to his bondsman) with a pistol and handcuffs and said he had a warrant for the brother’s arrest. He said, ‘if you don’t take me there now, I will arrest you and take your kid.’”

The couple had a newborn baby and, according to the probable cause statement, Smith informed the male and female resident of the home that he was a bounty hunter, would arrest them and turn their infant child over to the Division of Family Services, Children’s Division unless they took him immediately to the location of a relative who had warrants. 

While Smith was making threats, he held a piece of paper he claimed was a warrant for their relative’s arrest, had handcuffs on his belt, and a pistol in his waistband which were visible.

The couple complied out of fear. Smith is neither a licensed bondsman or a bounty hunter as he claimed.

Smith forced the couple to take him, using their vehicle, to the address their relative was believed to be staying. When they arrived at the address, a location in Crawford County on the Gasconade County border, the relative was not located, and Smith and an accomplice forced their way into the house and stole numerous items. 

“They witnessed this guy and another guy break into the house and came out with three guitars and a chainsaw and said they were ‘taking that as leverage because as bondsmen can do that.’ Bondsmen can’t actually do that,” John said.

The theft has been reported to Crawford County and is under investigation.

“(Smith) forced them to go back to the Belle Motel to drop off him and his accomplice and then they went home,” John said. “Two days later, nervous and thinking about it, they decided it doesn’t make sense and they called us. We went and got some information and did some interviews then went and arrested him. He is known to be manipulative.”

Judge Kerry Rowden arraigned Smith on June 29 and set bond at $100,000, which Smith has not posted.

Smith has been investigated and arrested numerous times in the past few years in Belle. “My guess is a motion has already been made to revoke his bond,” John said.

After information about the arrest was posted on the Maries County Sheriff’s Department Belle Division Facebook page, a woman who posted claiming Smith kidnapped her 15-year-old niece and took her to Kansas. She supposedly escaped after a year and called for help from a local library in the area.

“This may lead to a possible open case in Kansas that might get solved,” John said. 

Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman complimented Sugg and John on a job well done.