BENTON, MISSOURI - Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter reports a Bell City area man arrested for an assault with a baseball bat.
Thomas Rust Brown (31) of 28992 Swamp Rabbit Road, Bell City, Missouri has been charged with the Class B Felony of Assault in the First Degree, the Class D Felony of Armed Criminal Action, and the Unclassified Felony of Armed Criminal Action.
Sheriff Walter states that on Thursday, February 26th, at approximately 11:55 a.m., Deputy Danny Finley and Senior Deputy Matthew Scroggins responded to 1956 County Highway 250, Oran for a reported disturbance.
On their arrival at the residence, the deputies found Brown lying on the garage floor of the residence, bound at the wrists and ankles with large commercial zip ties.
The deputies met with a female victim and an additional male at the home. The female described the incident. She stated that there had been an argument, and related that Brown had struck her with a baseball bat. She had a visible injury to her right ankle which was red and swollen.
The male stated that Brown had hit the female with the baseball bat so he pushed Brown out of the house and tied him up.
Brown was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with Deputy Finley. Brown gave multiple versions of the incident. He did state that he had an argument with the other male at the residence, and had been injured.
Brown was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail pending the filing of formal charges by the Scott County Prosecuting Attorney. Brown was also transported to a medical facility for injuries apparently sustained during the altercation, treated, and released by a doctor as fit for confinement.
On Friday, February 27th, at 11:47 a.m., Brown was released on a Criminal Summons as ordered by the Court to appear on March 4th at 9:00 a.m.
Sheriff Walter commends the deputies for the arrest. He stated that although unusual, this is not the first time deputies have arrived at a crime scene to find a perpetrator secured by a reporting party. The Sheriff states that deputies were also back at the residence today and he expects formal charges as a result.
Sheriff Walter asks that anyone who has additional information on Brown or information regarding any other criminal activity to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 545-3525, or leave a message on the crime tip line at 1-866-210-4322.
