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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala man jailed after bystander stops spat at Dunkin Donuts

Jacob Austin Armentrout

A 24-year-old Ocala man was arrested recently after a bystander stopped him from allegedly battering his girlfriend in front of Dunkin Donuts.

Jacob Austin Armentrout was charged with simple domestic battery after the incident, which happened Nov. 6 at the Dunkin Donuts at 3015 SE Maricamp Road.

A man and his wife who were going into the neighboring Zaxby’s restaurant for lunch told an Ocala Police officer they saw Armentrout on top of the victim, holding her down while she screamed for help. The man said he rushed over to the couple, tackled Armentrout and kept him away from the victim until police arrived, according to the OPD report.

The victim told the officer she and Armentrout have been together for about a year and have a history of unreported domestic violence incidents. She said she was on her cell phone when Armentrout demanded it from her, causing an argument. The victim said Armentrout forced her to the ground and tried to take the phone away from her as she screamed for help. The officer observed a small cut on the corner of the victim’s eye that she said was from the altercation, the report said.

Armentrout told the officer he gave the victim his phone to use and requested it back when she was done. He said the victim decided to keep it and he was trying to get it back. Armentrout said the victim never asked him to stop or called for help. He said the victim screams but she always screams when they get into altercations, according to the report.

The officer observed injuries to the top of Armentrout’s shoulders due to him being tackled by the witness. He refused medical attention and was taken to the Marion County, where he was released Nov. 8 on $500 bond. Armentrout is scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Nov. 25.