**Freshman arrested after assault at party on North College Ave.**

Police arrested a freshman Sunday after he was reported to have punched another man in the face.

Columbia Police Department officers responded to a party on North College Avenue just before 3:30 a.m. and arrested freshman Devin Z. Mellon.

CPD spokeswoman Latisha Stroer said the victim had lacerations around his eyes and nose and was taken to the hospital by a friend.

“They were not transferred by ambulance,” Stroer said.

Mellon, 18, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault. Mellon was released from Boone County Jail after posting $500 bond.

“When alcohol and drugs are involved, the likelihood of assaults go up,” Stroer said.

**Boyfriend arrested after reported domestic assault**

A Columbia man was arrested Monday after a domestic assault involving his girlfriend.

At about 6:23 p.m. Monday officers were called to an assault at the 1600 block of Boyd Lane, Stroer said in an e-mail. When officers arrived, they spoke with the victim, who said her boyfriend Gilbert Garcia had assaulted her. The two were living together, Stroer said. Garcia was arrested on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault.

**Police pursue drug suspect**

A suspect was arrested early Tuesday after a Columbia police officer pursued him and found him lying on the ground and with cocaine and marijuana in his car.
 
At about 1 a.m., an officer saw a suspicious vehicle parked in the eastbound lane of Business Loop 70 near Rumors, Stroer said. The suspect got into his vehicle and drove away, and shortly after, the officer pulled him over for a traffic violation.
 
When the officer approached the vehicle near the intersection of Hathman Place and Paris Road, the suspect drove away. When the officer located the vehicle on Whitegate Drive, he saw footprints leading to Tarrico D. Smith, who was lying on the ground near a house, Stroer said.
 
Smith smelled heavily of marijuana and the officer found a plastic bag with the corner torn off nearby. The officer found cocaine, marijuana and digital scales in Smith’s vehicle.
 
Smith was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

**Four arrested at Walmart on theft charges**

Four suspects were arrested Wednesday for reportedly trying to steal items from the Walmart at 415 Conley Road.

At about 6:30 p.m., Rafenee M. Jordan, Micala D. Leavell, Jamie D. Richardson and Jellisa S. Richardson were apprehended while trying to leave the store. The suspects were reported placing items inside a bag in their cart before they left the store before purchasing the items.

All four suspects were arrested and charged with one count of theft.