Man faces new assault charge

A Pensacola man who was facing a felony assault charge after battering his father Feb. 7 has had more felony charges filed against him involving attempted burglary and assault in Century on Feb. 15.

On Saturday, Feb. 15, officers responding to a disturbance at 9304 Century Boulevard made contact with Ankitkumar Patel, who advised a white male, later identified as Richard Jason McArthur, 41, had been attempting to gain access to his residence and had reached in his car and battered him before crossing the road to the Southern Pit Stop, according to an Escambia County Sheriff's officer report.

Patel's wife was working at the Southern Pit stop at the time of the attempted robbery. Patel called 911 and drove over to the gas station where his wife came outside, leaving McArthur alone in the store, the report said.

The officer made contact with McArthur and observed McArthur seemed to be under the influence of an unknown substance, with a flushed face, slurred speech and a difficulty standing up. The report said McArthur at this time began to shout “Take me to jail! I am ready to go!”

The officer spoke with Patel who said he pulled into his residence at 9304 Century Boulevard and observed McArthur walking around the outside of his home. After McArthur circled the house three times, he attempted to force his way into the residence by using his elbow in an attempt to break the door down, the report said.

Patel said he rolled down his driver's side window but did not get out because his nine-month-old daughter was in the car. Patel asked McArthur what he was doing and McArthur then approached him and reached into the vehicle window, grabbing his left arm. McArthur attempted to pull Patel through the window but Patel was able to roll his window back up, the report said.

McArthur then crossed the street to the gas station and called 911.

When officers arrived and made contact with Patel, he said he did not know McArthur and that McArthur did not have permission to be at his residence or in his vehicle, the report said. Officers observed scratches on Patel's left arm, which were consistent with his statement.

Earlier, on Feb. 7, Richard Lee McArthur told officers he was a passenger in a vehicle his son, Richard Jason McArthur, was driving when the son began punching him on the left side of his face. He said his son pulled into a parking lot and continued to hit him so he exited the vehicle and ran away. The son followed him but was unable to find him, the report said.

The father said he tried to locate the vehicle but could not find it and believed the son had taken it. The father then walked into Captain D's to contact law enforcement, the report said. The father's vehicle was located in a parking lot behind Captain D's.

Officers observed multiple lacerations on Richard Lee McArthur's cheek, which would need stitches and result in permanent scarring. A warrant was issued for the son's arrest for a felony count of battery with no bond pending first appearance, the report said.

Richard Jason McArthur was arrested Feb. 15 in Century and transported to the Escambia County Jail, where he was charged with attempted burglary of an unoccupied residence and burglary with assault and given a total bond of $60,000.

 
 
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