A 28-year-old Crystal River man is accused of punching his girlfriend in the face and then leading Citrus County deputies on a chase when they tried arresting him.
DeMare Barnes, of 3282 N. Holiday Drive in Crystal River, is now facing felony battery, fleeing and alluding, possession of cannabis and driving on a revoked license charges.
He is being held without bond.
According to deputies, Barnes went to his girlfriend's home and demanded she come outside. When she walked outside, Barnes reportedly punched her in the face. The woman suffered a split lip and one of her teeth cracked in half.
Deputies say Barnes fled in a Mitsubishi.
While at the home, deputies say Barnes placed several threatening phone calls to the victim and warned her not to involve law enforcement. An arrest report shows that Barnes threatened "to make matters worse" if the woman called for help.
Deputies later spotted Barnes behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi and attempted to stop him but were unable to do so, an arrest report shows.
Despite utilizing sirens and lights, deputies claim Barnes refused to stop.
Barnes eventually pulled off into a driveway and deputies approached him with guns drawn.
Deputies say Barnes resisted arrest and when they questioned him about hitting his girlfriend, he said, "Those charges will be dropped."
Barnes is being held without bond.
