On Sunday, January 30th at approximately 10:49 AM, the Baxter County Sheriff's Office was informed by the 911 Center that they were taking reports on State Highway 126 North that a man in a black vehicle was intentionally ramming another car.  Subsequent information indicated this to be a domestic disturbance between the man and his girlfriend.  Sheriff's Deputies, with assistance provided by the Arkansas State Police, responded to the area in an effort to locate the persons involved. 

     While enroute, the 911 Center advised officers that the suspect had turned on State Highway 178 W in Midway, while the driver of the second vehicle had turned toward Mountain Home on State Highway 5.  Shortly thereafter, 911 received information that the suspect was at 174 CR 901 in Midway, and that he was walking around a house carrying a machete.  Lakeview Police Officer Edwin Thomas was the first officer to arrive at this residence, and he located the suspect and took him into custody.  The suspect was identified as JONATHAN R. ROUSE.  Officers also found the machete, which they seized and took into evidence.  At the time ROUSE was arrested, officers found marijuana on his person.

     During a subsequent interview with Rouse's girlfriend, officers learned that he had earlier pulled the machete on her and had been threatening her with it. 

     JONATHAN R. ROUSE, 32 years old of Gassville, was charged with:

Aggravated Assault on Family or Houshold Member - Felony
Carrying A Weapon - Misdemeanor
Possession of Controlled Substance - Marijuana - Misdemeanor

     ROUSE was taken to the Baxter County Detention Center by Deputy Tracy Munson and incarcerated pending the posting of bond, which was set at $5,000.  He will appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on February 17th.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff