Friday, 1-1-10

At 3:30 am New Years Day officers were called to a domestic disturbance in Highland Apartments. Arriving officers spoke with Thomas Bushney, 18, who said he had been inside his mother's apartment when his mother's boyfriend, 31 year old Matthew Gress began cursing at him and calling him names. Bushney got tired of Gress verbally attacking him so he pushed Gress. Gress responded by lunging forward and punching Bushney in the mouth. The two of them began fist fighting in the living room.

Bushney said he was able to get free from Gress and walked outside and got into his vehicle. Gress followed him outside and began punching the driver's window, eventually shattering it.

When officers spoke with Gress, he said Bushney had come into the apartment intoxicated and vomiting all over the residence. Gress went into the bathroom where Bushney was and was talking to Bushney when Bushney punched him in the mouth. The two men began fighting. When Bushney went outside, Gress said he followed him. Bushney got into his vehicle. Gress said he was merely tapping on the window when it broke.

Officers spoke with a witness who had been inside the apartment when the incident began. She confirmed Bushney's account of the events and completed a written statement.

Another witness told officers she was inside her apartment when she heard two men fighting outside. When she went outside she saw Bushney getting into his vehicle and Gress was following him while yelling and cursing at him. The two men began fighting again. The witness intervened and was able to get the two of them apart.

The witness said after Bushney got into his vehicle, Gress began running toward it and punched the window causing it to break.

Bushney was arrested for Battery and Gress was charged with Criminal Mischief. Both were booked into jail.