A Gamaliel man has been arrested after he broke into a home and tried to stab the resident with a knife. According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, deputies were dispatched to a home off County Road 804 on a report of a home invasion. The victim stated 36-year-old Zachery Oates Johnston, a person known to him, kicked in the door and chased him up the stairs with a knife. The victim retreated to a bedroom where Johnston was allegedly swinging the knife trying to stab him. The commotion woke up other members of the household, including three children.It was reported Johnston went back down the stairs and exited the home. While doing so, he shoved down a 73-year-old female, causing minor injuries. Johnston fled the scene in a white Jeep before deputies arrived. They later found him at another location where he was placed under arrest.
Johnston was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center where he was booked on felony charges of 1st degree battery, residential burglary, aggravated assault, and a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor. In addition, he was served with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for a probation violation.
Johnston remains in custody on $50,000 bond. He is set to appear in court on April 3. Authorities state there was no indication of a possible motive prompting the incident.
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