The man’s parents were taken to safety by police about 10 minutes after they were called to the 85 Grammar Road residence at about 1:12 a.m. But the son, Garth Johnson, didn’t leave the house. At about 5 a.m., patrol officers left the scene. The Southern Maine Special Response Team arrived at about 10:30 a.m. and took Johnson into custody without incident, said Sanford Police Detective. Sgt. Matthew Jones.
According to Jones, Johnson’s stepfather told dispatchers that he had suffered a severely lacerated finger and been punched repeatedly by the younger man. Police said Johnson was known to keep a firearm by his bedside.
Jones said officers arrived and were able to evacuate the older couple to a local hotel while police worked to resolve the situation. He said attempts to communicate with Johnson by phone and public address system were unsuccessful at that time.
Police obtained search and arrest warrants for Johnson and at around 10:30 a.m. established a perimeter around the residence and shut down Grammar Road. They addressed Johnson with a loudspeaker and he appeared in a doorway and was taken into custody, Jones said.
Johnson’s stepfather was treated for a fractured rib and lacerated finger at a local hospital. Jones said Johnson’s mother had no injuries from the assault.
Johnson was charged with aggravated domestic violence assault, a Class B felony. He was taken to York County Jail where he was held in lieu of $20,000 cash bail. He is expected to make a first court appearance on Monday.
Jones said there was no known motive for the alleged assault. He said that Johnson’s parents said the assault was out of character for their son.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
