A Mountain Grove man was arrested Wednesday night following an alleged assault and property damage incident on the Hartville square. According to the Mountain Grove Police Department, officers responded around 8:43 p.m. on February 4 after a pizza delivery driver reported being attacked with a hammer. While officers were en route, dispatch also received a report that someone had been struck by a vehicle. When officers arrived, they made contact with 57-year-old Morgan Carloss French. Police say French claimed the delivery driver had been following him from Domino’s and had run over his foot. The driver told officers he was making a delivery when French confronted him on West Third Street and later near the stop sign at West First Street on the south side of the square. Investigators say French exited his SUV holding a hammer and struck the windshield of the delivery vehicle, causing visible damage. Officers documented a large impact point and cracking across the windshield. French denied using a hammer, stating he only struck the vehicle with his hand. However, officers later located a claw hammer inside his SUV during an inventory search prior to towing. Police say French initially pulled away while being handcuffed and was taken into custody. He declined medical treatment at the scene. French was transported to the Wright County Detention Center on a 24-hour hold pending formal charges of second-degree assault and first-degree property damage. Authorities say video footage of the incident was partially obstructed, and additional footage will be reviewed as the investigation continues.
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