One arrested for aggravated battery

PONCE DE LEON – A Holmes County man has been arrested for aggravated battery after he accused an employee of stealing $30,000 and allegedly attacked him Monday with a baseball bat.

Sgt. John Tate of the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office said that Lowell Kelly, owner of Vortex Springs, believed that one of his employees, Bill Howes, had stolen $30,000 from Kelly’s home. Tate said that Kelly took Howes out on Valley Road off of State 81 Monday ostensibly to look at a job.

When they got to a field on the road Tate said Kelly confronted Howes about the alleged theft that Howes denied. Kelly then allegedly pulled a baseball bat out the back of his truck and assaulted Howes, causing injuries that required stitches.

Kelly is charged with aggravated battery, a felony charge. Tate said Kelly has been released on bond.