Lincoln man accused of stealing vehicle, fighting with deputy

A Lincoln man is being held on multiple charges after law enforcement agents said he broke into a home, stole a vehicle and got into a fight with Benton County sheriff’s deputy.

According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, just before 2 a.m. Tuesday, Brian A. Depriest, Jr., 22, broke into a home on Spring Lake Drive east of Lincoln and demanded the residents give him a ride out of the county lines.

“(Depriest) knew the victims,” said Benton County Sheriff Rick Fajen. “He knocked on the door and once they answered, shoved his way into the home. He then grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened them, telling them to give him a ride.”

According to Fajen, the two residents sustained minor injuries on the neck and arm from Depriest cutting them.

“At that point, he stole one of their vehicles and left,” Fajen said. “After the residents called 911, one of our deputies saw a vehicle matching the description turn onto Old Balltown Road, south of Cole Camp, so he followed him.”

Depriest attempted to flee the deputy, but hit a snowy patch, drove off the road and hit a tree.
“By this point the deputy had caught up with him but Depriest attempted to resist arrest by getting into a physical altercation,” Fajen said.

Depriest has been charged with felony assault, felony robbery, felony armed criminal action, felony tampering and resisting arrest. He is currently being held at the Benton County jail on a $250,000 bond.