November 27, 2024 10:20 a.m. 

A transient was jailed for an alleged assault incident near Riddle on Tuesday.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report said just before 5:30 p.m. a deputy responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of B. Schofield Lane. 54-year-old Anton Berard claimed he was defending himself from a victim who he claimed pushed him first. The victim and a witness both said that Berard had head butted the victim in the face first. A witness showed the deputy a video of the incident that she had taken on her phone.

The report said the video does not show who initiated the fight but does show Berard taking off his clothes and preparing to fight. During the investigation, Berard told the deputy he had a firearm inside of his backpack. During his search, the deputy reportedly located methamphetamine and a pipe, along with a baggy of meth on the suspect’s person.

Berard was taken into custody. He was charged with fourth-degree assault, unlawful possession/concealment of firearms, and unlawful possession of meth. Berard was detained without bail.