BALDWIN, Ga. — A Gainesville man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he intentionally rammed his spouse’s vehicle Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of a Baldwin convenience store.
Officers with the Baldwin Police Department responded at approximately 4:58 p.m. Feb. 10 to Circle K at 3951 Ga. 365 in reference to a motor vehicle crash, according to Baldwin Police Chief Chris Jones.
Upon arrival, officers learned that Balmer Alexis Melgar Ayala, 29, of Gainesville, allegedly used the 2014 Nissan Sentra he was driving as a weapon and intentionally struck a 2015 Ford F-150 in the parking lot, Jones said.
The F-150 was occupied by a 29-year-old woman identified as Melgar Ayala’s spouse. As a result of the crash, her truck was pinned by the Sentra, restricting her freedom of movement. She was eventually able to pull her truck forward and exit the vehicle.
According to the victim and witnesses, Melgar Ayala exited his vehicle with a hammer following the crash and began striking both vehicles, shattering most of the windows in each, Jones said. The victim fled to a safer location with bystanders.
Melgar Ayala was detained when law enforcement arrived and was later arrested. The Baldwin Fire Department and Habersham County Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and determined there were no injuries from the crash or the domestic incident that followed.
Melgar Ayala was transported to the Habersham County Detention Center and charged with aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act, two counts of criminal damage to property under the Family Violence Act, false imprisonment under the Family Violence Act, terroristic threats and acts, and reckless driving.
Jones said the department appreciates the assistance of the Alto and Cornelia police departments in handling the incident.
