Hart arrested for battery on police officer

A Milton man was arrested for aggravated battery and battery on a police officer after Sheriff's deputies received a call for help Sunday night, according to Santa Rosa Sheriff's reports.

Richard Charles Hart, 34, was taken into custody after deputies say he kicked a woman who is pregnant with his child in the stomach and legs several times, pulled her hair, punched her in the back of the head with a closed fist, choked her around the neck while pulling her across the floor.

When deputies arrived, they found the victim in the street screaming, "he's got a knife" as they pulled up, according to an arrest report, though no knife was found. Reports say she told deputies Hart started screaming at her while she was in the shower and that both had been drinking. After a "physical altercation ensued" she locked Hart out of the home. He managed to get back in with a key. Once inside reports note, he grabbed a knife and started chasing the woman. She escaped outside and called law enforcement.

While deputies note there was no obvious trauma or injuries on the woman, they say Hart refused to cooperate with them "both physically and verbally", which lead to deputies taking the victim down to the floor. After Hart was placed in handcuffs, reports say he became more uncooperative and ended up kicking one deputy in the lip and tried to kick another deputy in the face.

Hart was placed under arrest and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer; assault on a law enforcement officer; resisting officer with violence; aggravated battery; and simple assault.

According to Santa Rosa County jail records, he is being held on $20,000 bond.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Hart arrested for battery on police officer