Deputies: Knock On the Door Turns Violent

A Dunedin man is facing a felony burglary charge for punching out his ex-girlfriends home window on Jan. 7, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Daniel Wayne Barnes, 26, of 200 Glennes Lane, was reportedly arguing with his ex-girlfriend about their recent break-up while inside a car near Westfield Countryside Mall late on Jan. 6. He is alleged to have punched her in the thigh when she told him she did not wish to talk to him any longer and asked to go home. While being dropped off at her Clearwater apartment, he allegedly grabbed her so she could not move, according to Pinellas County arrest records. The alleged victim threatened to scream, so he let her go, arrest records report.

Barnes allegedly returned to her apartment the next morning, on Jan. 7,  and knocked on the screen door to get his ex-girlfriend's attention. She is reported to have been hiding inside. Arrest records indicate that after no one opened the door, Barnes ripped the screen off to unlock the door, when a neighbor and the ex-girlfriends mother told him to leave. He reportedly punched out the front window, breaking the glass. Damages are estimated at $150 to $200.

The incident was witnessed by a neighbor.

The alleged victim told law enforcement that she was scared and she feared he was breaking in with the intent to "attack her like he as in the past," according to arrest records.

Clearwater Police asked Pinellas deputies contact Barnes.

Pinellas deputies saw Barnes walking through a parking lot near 880 Patricia Avenue in Dunedin later that afternoon and approached him. Barnes began backing away and tried to get away. 

The Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy who placed Barnes under arrest reported that he resisted by bracing and tensing. He "was taken to the ground and arrested without further incident," the arrest records report.

Arrest records also indicate Barnes showed signs of being under the influence of drugs at the time of his arrest.

Barnes is charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and possession of alprazolam, felonies; and possession of marijuana, resisting an officer without violence, domestic violence and criminal mischief, misdemeanors. 

Barnes is awaiting trial at Pinellas County Jail on $25,305 bond.