Uncle arrested after altercation with niece

Joseph Scott Womack, 36, of 1577 Cronic Town Road in Auburn, was charged with simple battery and simple assault after a Feb. 9 altercation in the Ingles parking lot on Atlanta Highway.

The victim said she and Womack were arguing when Womack slapped her in the face. The victim claimed her grandmother, who was also present, yelled at Womack telling him he could not strike the victim because he would go to jail.

The grandmother claimed Womack did not strike the victim in the face, but had struck the girl in the arm. The grandmother told police that the victim is very argumentative and “gets out of control” when she is upset.

When police interviewed Womack, he denied striking his niece, but admitted raising his hand towards her. The officer explained that even raising his hand in a threatening manner was an admission of guilt to the crime of simple assault. Based on Womack’s admission and statements from the victim and her grandmother, Womack was arrested and transported to the Barrow County Detention Center.

Other arrests made by Auburn Police during the past week include:

• Paul Anthony Atha, 39, 4419 Wagon Trail, Loganville, first degree forgery.

• John Curtis Brooks, 40, 1370 Third Avenue, Auburn, probation violation.

• Brian Robert Grenier, 18, 4363 Saddle Creek Court, Auburn, VGCSA.

• Cassidy Renee Pruitt, 30, 1323 Fourth Avenue, Auburn, obstruction.

• Autumn Cierra Harris, 19, 175 Ansley Lane, Athens, failure to appear.