Man arrested on abuse, gun charges after assault

Bloomington Police Department officers responded to a call at 3224 S. Walnut Springs Dr. on Saturday evening in response to a woman with fractured ribs and a deflated lung.

The woman, 40, initially told officers she was in a vehicle accident, which she claimed caused her injuries. After being transported to Bloomington Hospital, officers learned the woman was not involved in an accident but rather in a domestic dispute with her boyfriend.

According to the BPD report, Albert Baker, 49, repeatedly told the woman to leave their residence. The woman told police that Baker pushed her to the floor and kicked her as she tried to get up.

Officers obtained a search warrant when they learned there were weapons in the residence.

“In domestic violence cases when there are weapons in the residence, we need to get those out,” said BPD’s Sgt. Jeff Canada.

Officers discovered two loaded handguns, a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver and a .40-caliber Taurus. Officers also found .22-caliber rounds and shotgun slugs.

According to the report, the incident began at a storage facility in Oolitic, Ind., about 20 miles south of Bloomington, where Baker “pointed a pistol at the woman and threatened to kill her if she slept with another man.”

Once back at their Bloomington residence, Baker and his girlfriend continued arguing. He threw a set of keys at her and demanded that she leave. He then used physical force on his girlfriend, causing bodily harm, the report said.

Baker is facing preliminary charges of aggravated battery, a Class B felony; criminal confinement, a Class C felony; and possession of a firearm by a previous violent felon, a Class D felony.

Although they initially could not find Baker, BPD arrested him Sunday.