A Vancouver man accused of hitting a woman in the head with a metal bat made a first appearance Thursday in Clark County Superior Court.
Alexander D. Mata, 28, appeared on suspicion of first-degree assault in connection with the Wednesday attack.
The victim, Nichole Keyton, said Mata pulled her out of her parked vehicle in the 1300 block of Markle Avenue and said, “Your boyfriend is not here to save you now.” She said Mata was holding a metal bat, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Keyton said she called her boyfriend, Michael McLaughlin, and walked away from Mata. The next thing she said she remembered was her boyfriend picking her up off the street. She complained of head and neck pain and was transported to a local hospital, the affidavit states.
McLaughlin told police that Keyton had called him and said Mata was harassing her again. He heard Keyton say, “Don’t hit me,” and then the phone went silent. He called 911 when Mata returned to the area, court records said.
Police found Mata hiding in a nearby apartment complex with a large metal cane. Mata reportedly blurted out that he didn’t hit anyone and said, “I don’t hit girls,” according to court documents.
A woman at the apartment where Mata was found said he showed up there as first responders were arriving to the area, the affidavit states.
Mata was arrested about 7:40 p.m. He denied hitting anyone and said he didn’t know what police were talking about, court records said.
During his hearing, his bail was set at $50,000. He will be arraigned Jan. 24.
