A 35–year-old Linton man was arrested Dec. 11 on a warrant after he allegedly battered a woman in the presence of a child less than 16 years of age. 

Matthew Parola was arrested on Dec. 11 on a warrant for domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years of age. The warrant was issued on Dec. 4 following a Dec. 2 incident in the parking lot of the Linton Fire Department. 

According to a probable cause affidavit written by Linton Police Department Officer Nathanael Kilgore a witness called 911 after reportedly observing a male – later identified as Parola – batter a female in the parking lot of the Linton Fire Department. As Kilgore and Det. Logan Hobbs headed to the fire department, they received word the female and a child had walked inside the police department. 

The victim alleged she and a second witness – Witness 2 – were going to the Santa Train and Parola wanted to go to a residence to return an air pump. According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim said Parola became angry while they were in the car with Witness 2, who is under the age of 16. She alleged Parola opened the passenger side door, threw her coat out, and attempted to get out of the vehicle. Due to this, the victim alleged she stopped the vehicle in front of the fire department. When the victim and Parola exited the vehicle, the victim alleged Parola walked toward the driver’s side of the vehicle, grabbed her by the head, and shoved her into the passenger door. She told officers part of the car’s rain guard broke when she was allegedly shoved into the vehicle. Officer Kilgore walked the victim and Witness 2 to the fire department to retrieve the debris from the rain guard. 

After interviewing the victim, Kilgore and Hobbs reviewed video footage from the front of the fire department. According to the probable cause, at 12:54 p.m., video footage showed Parola throwing a coat out of a vehicle. It also showed him attempting to get out of the car. Officers saw, through the video footage, Parola walk to the front side of the vehicle, aggressively grab the victim, and walk away from the scene. 

After driving around looking for Parola unsuccessfully, the officers went to the house of Witness 3. The victim had told officers he may have gone there as that is where he wanted to return the air pump. According to the probable cause, Witness 3 told officers Parola had called him, giving him a heads up that officers might show up at his residence. Witness 3 also informed officers he was aware of an argument that took place between the victim and Parola earlier that day. 

Parola was held in Greene County Jail on a bond of $4,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He was released after posting $400. 

He is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court on Dec. 18 for an initial hearing.