Knife-wielding man arrested for attempted carjacking

A 40-year-old knife-wielding Marathon man was arrested Sunday night after threatening a couple in a pickup truck before attempting to steal it and slashing its tires.

Ronald Bryan Barton was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, robbery/carjacking, property damage, resisting arrest and threatening a law enforcement officer.

Deputy Brandon White was dispatched to a criminal mischief call at U.S. 1 and Middle Torch Road at Middle Torch Key at 11:06 p.m. There he met with the reporting couple — 48-year-old male and 46-year-old woman — who stated they were initially approached by the suspect, later identified as Barton, while they were sitting in their pickup truck on the highway. They stated Barton asked for money and they declined. Barton stated he would “get them back,” and came back a few minutes later asking for a ride and money. They declined again. Barton then pulled out a knife and demanded they give him the money and the truck. Barton asked the man, the driver, to get out so they could fight whilst he had the knife. Barton yelled and used racial slurs. The couple locked the truck and rolled up the windows. Barton then unsuccessfully tried to break the windows with his hands and then with the knife. Barton then slashed three of the truck tires.

The female stated she pepper sprayed Barton in an attempt to get him to leave. Barton left prior to the Sheriff’s Office arriving.

Sgt. David Lariz and Deputy White found Barton hiding the woods near Barry Avenue. Barton had to be pulled from the woods by force. Barton refused to identify himself. The couple identified him as the suspect.

Barton threatened Deputy White several times while en route to jail and continued to use racial slurs.

Barton urinated on the back seat.

Barton was booked into jail.