A man says he was intentionally struck by a car and beaten by two men on the night of August 5 in Fayette.

The victim, who was not identified by police, told officers that he was walking on Linn Avenue near the intersection of Davis Street around 10 p.m. Wednesday night when he was struck by a Hyundai Sonata. He told police he was knocked to the ground, then two black males exited the car and began fighting him.

The victim identified one of the men as Christopher S. Turner, Jr, 24, who’s residence is listed on Watts Avenue in Fayette. The victim told police he thinks he was assaulted because Turner believed he stole a phone from Turner’s girlfriend. The car with which the victim was struck belongs to Turner’s girlfriend.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Cpl. Bo Wells of the Fayette Police Department, officers located several items at the crime scene, including a bloodied sweatshirt and jewelry that belonged to the victim. Missing, however, was a watch and a mobile telephone. 

Police attempted to make contact with Turner that night. It wasn’t until shortly after midnight on August 7 that Wells, along with Sgt. Brian Sollars from the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, were able to apprehend Turner and take him into custody.

Turner remains in the Howard County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond on a charge of first-degree assault, a Class B felony. He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning before Judge Mason Gebhardt in Howard County court.

According to online court documents, Turner has hired Columbia attorney Jeffrey Hilbrenner.

The second man involved in the assault has not yet been identified. Fayette Chief of Police Jeff Oswald said his department is following up on possible leads.