A Marion County sheriff’s deputy arrested a 70-year-old Stonecrest man Sunday after a woman reported being punched in the face multiple times during a violent altercation.
The 67-year-old woman, who lives on SE 174th Loop, told the deputy that she and Robert Louis Lyons “had troubles” and she was planning to move out but didn’t yet have a place to go. She added that Lyons had been “drinking heavily” – possibly two bottles of wine – throughout the day before the altercation, a sheriff’s office report states, adding that woman said she believes Lyons has the beginning stages of dementia but “was fully lucid at the time of the incident.”
The woman said Lyons told her he was going to leave the house, went into the garage and got into the driver’ seat of his car. She said she told him not to leave because he had been drinking and when she threatened to call law enforcement, he allegedly said, “I will beat the hell out of you if you call the police,” the report says.
The woman said Lyons started the car, so she lowered the door with his vehicle still inside the garage. She said he then got out of the car and “punched her in the face with a closed fist.” She said she told him to stop and called him a derogatory name, and he then hit her in the face at least three more times using both hands, the report says, adding that the deputy noted swelling on the right side of the woman’s face and called EMS to come check her out.
A short time later, Lyons returned to the home and was placed under arrest. After being read his rights, he told the deputy he wouldn’t say anything without his attorney present. He was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with battery on a person 65 or older.
Lyons was released on his own recognizance Monday night and is scheduled to appear in a Marion County courtroom on Oct. 30 at 9 a.m. to answer to the charge.
