Muscle Shoals man accused of burglary, domestic violence

FLORENCE - A Colbert County man is being held after he was accused of breaking in on his girlfriend and assaulting her, authorities said.

Stewart "Nod" Lanard Thompson Jr., 24, 3888 Second St., Muscle Shoals, has been charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, domestic violence third-degree assault, domestic violence harassment, second-degree possession of marijuana, third-degree criminal mischief and carrying a concealed weapon, according to Florence police.

Thompson is accused of forcing his way into his girlfriend's house on two different occasions. Florence detective Suzanna Taylor said the first incident happened around 3 a.m. Sunday at the 24-year-old woman's residence on Cedar Street.

"She said (Thompson) came to the house, knocked on the door, and when she opened it, he forced his way in," Taylor said.

The woman told authorities that she told Thompson to leave, but he refused, eventually assaulting her.

Police said the second incident happened after 7 a.m. Tuesday, again at the woman's residence.

"This time he broke the door, stuck his hand inside and unlocked it," Taylor said.

The woman called 911 and ran to the bathroom, where she locked herself in, according to reports.

Taylor said when officers Robbie Talcott and Lee Smith arrived at the residence, Thompson opened the door to meet them.

She said while they were trying to search him for weapons and were talking to him, Thompson suddenly ran. After a short foot chase, the officers caught Thompson and took him into custody.

At the time of his arrest, the officers found a handgun and a butcher knife on Thompson, according to reports.

He was in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on Wednesday on bail totaling $105,500.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.