TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Monticello man has been arrested after threatening, kidnapping, and beating his girlfriend as well as trying to run over a police officer.
Robert Norton Jr., 20, was arrested by the Tallahassee Police Department on Saturday.
On June 9, around 4:04 a.m., officers responded to a call at Walmart on Apalachee Parkway, regarding an altercation between Norton and the victim.
When officers arrived on scene, they say a white sedan leaving the parking lot, traveling at a high speed of rate.
The first officer on scene was able to determine that the vehicle was involved in the altercation and another officer was able to locate the car at Sutor Road and Rockbrock Drive.
Officers saw Norton Jr. and the victim arguing outside the car and when the victim saw officers, she ran immediately to them for help stating "help me please, help me, he is beating me."
Officers stated they could see the victim's entire body was visibly shaken from fear.
Norton Jr. then got into his car and drove toward an officer and the victim. The officer was able to push the victim out of the way and use her own arms to push away from the accelerating car to keep from getting run over.
The victim told officers that she had been dating Norton for two months, but they do not live together or have any children together.
The victim said on the evening of June 8, she and Norton went to Baja's nightclub and Norton began to become verbally aggressive calling her rude names.
She stated she left the club without Norton but later met up with him at a Wendy's. After leaving the Wendy's, Norton became angry again and began throwing food around in the car as well as pulling on her braids.
The victim said Norton hit her several times before they got to Walmart. She stated she tried to get out of the car, but Norton grabbed her, pulling her back in.
The police report states he then grabbed her by the braids and began punching her in the back of the head and in various spots on the body.
The victim informed officers that he also grabbed her by the throat and began to choke her during the altercation.
She stated she was able to get out of the car at one point, but Norton chased her down in the parking lot, grabbed her, and threw her back into the car.
The victim said she was only able to get "a couple of parking spaces away" when Norton grabbed her.
A witness told officers that he saw Norton hitting the victim and when he tried to intervene, Norton punched him in the lip.
The victim advised officers that when Norton threw her back in the car the second time, he sped away saying "I am going to take you home."
According to the police report, Norton pulled over at the intersection of Sutor Road and Rockbrook Road and began to hit the victim again.
Based on the evidence, Norton is being charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, kidnapping, criminal mischief/damage to property, and battery.
Investigators are continuing to follow up with the case and are asking anyone with information to please contact them at (850) 891-4200 or if you choose to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS.
