Boyfriend pleads not guilty to assault, property damage charges

Published 11:59 am Monday, January 30, 2012

A rural Austin man pleaded not guilty last week to criminal charges after he allegedly kicked in the door to a woman’s house.

Allen Gartner, 25, pleaded not guilty to first-degree property damage, fifth-degree assault and third-degree property damage. He was also charged with two misdemeanors — fourth-degree property damage and fleeing a peace officer — but no pleas are listed in his court file.

According to Police Chief Brian Krueger, Gartner allegedly broke down the door to a home in the 900 block of Eighth Avenue NE on Jan. 23.

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Police spoke with two women, ages 21 and 35, at the residence who said Gartner is the 21-year-old woman’s boyfriend. Gartner allegedly came to the house looking for his girlfriend and wanting her to go somewhere with him. The 35-year-old woman told police she would not let him in the house, so he punched in the glass on the outside door.

Gartner allegedly kicked at both the inside and outside doors until they broke. The 35-year-old said he shoved her into one of the doors, causing her to cut her finger. Police arrived around that time, and Gartner allegedly began running from the residence. He was arrested after a brief foot chase, Krueger said.

Gartner’s girlfriend was not injured in the incident.

Gartner is scheduled for another court appearance on Feb. 9.