Saturday afternoon Central Precinct officers responded to a report of an assault in the area of Northwest 4th Avenue and Northwest Hoyt Street.
A victim reported that he was hit in the head by a suspect using two 2-by-4 boards screwed together with the screws pointing out.
As they investigated, other witnesses began calling reporting that a suspect was walking southbound hitting cars and threatening people with the boards. Officers located the suspect at Northwest 5th Avenue and Northwest Couch Street. He threatened the officers and threw a glass bottle, striking an officer. Officers arrested him.
The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated for non-life threatening injuries. The officer was not injured.
Assault Detectives responded to assume the investigation. They ultimately booked the suspect, 60-year-old Gary M. Barker (photo), on charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Attempt Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Escape in the Third Degree, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.