A man was arrested Monday evening after Bellefontaine Police responded to a report of an assault in a wooded area on North Main Street.
Around 4:30 p.m., police were called to the area after a witness reported that a homeless man had been assaulted by 61-year-old Thomas Neeley, who was also living in the woods.
When police arrived, they followed a path into the wooded area and found both the victim and Neeley.
The two were separated, and police saw that the victim had visible injuries to his face and left ear, with bloody wounds consistent with being struck.
The victim said he and Neeley had gotten into an argument, and Neeley punched him in the face.
Neeley admitted to the assault, telling police, “I beat the brakes off him.”
He said the victim had been bothering him throughout the day, and that he ended the fight.
Police noted that Neeley had a cut on his elbow and dried blood on his pants and shirt, believed to be from the victim.
The victim chose to press charges, and Neeley was arrested for assault and then taken to the Logan County Jail.
This is the third time in recent weeks that Neeley has been arrested for violence.
