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Mt. Pleasant man arrested in assault faces more charges

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A Mt. Pleasant Township man accused of assaulting his girlfriend and her 6-year-old son before locking them in a bedroom at their home Friday night is facing more charges after allegedly threatening a township police officer and damaging a police cruiser.

Michael P. Barton, 27, of 42 Main St., was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on two counts of simple assault and unlawful restraint and one count of harassment. Charges of terroristic threats, harassment, criminal mischief, institutional vandalism, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia were filed Monday by township police at the office of Senior District Judge Jay Dutton.

Police were called to the residence in Hickory about 7:30 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute. A woman police identified as Barton’s girlfriend, Devyn Fries, told police she and Barton got into an argument that escalated and turned physical. She also told police Barton was intoxicated.

Fries told police he hit her and grabbed her by the neck, then grabbed her son by the collar of his shirt and shook him.

Fries’ mother, who lives in a second-floor apartment above Fries’ residence, saw what was going on and let her daughter and grandson out of the locked room. Police said Barton left when his girlfriend’s mother arrived, running out the door in the direction of woods behind the residence. Township police and state police searched the area but could not locate Barton.

Township police Chief Lou McQuillan said police were called back to the residence early Saturday morning after they received a report that Barton had returned and was trying to get into the apartment.

Police took him into custody after finding him sleeping in his vehicle. They said he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. While in the cruiser, Barton allegedly kicked the back of it, damaging it as they were taking him to the station. While being transported to Washington County jail, he allegedly threatened the officer transporting him. McQuillan said Barton threatened to harm the officer’s family and said he knew what vehicle the officer drove.

Barton is in jail on $25,000 bond set by Wilson. He faces an April 2 preliminary hearing at Dutton’s office.

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