A man was arrested on multiple felony charges early Thursday following a violent altercation involving his pregnant ex-partner. Marion County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at around 12:50 a.m. on November 7, at a residence on W Highway 318.
Upon arriving, deputies observed a 2021 blue Hyundai sedan with shattered front and rear windshields. The victim, visibly pregnant and seated in the driver’s seat, told officers that her ex-partner, Ryan Belchie, was responsible for the damage and had physically assaulted her. She explained that she had picked him up from a local restaurant, Gators Dockside in Ocala, and driven him home. While parked in his driveway, an argument escalated as Belchie allegedly attempted to take her phone. In the scuffle, she sustained minor bruising to her thighs and reported that Belchie struck her abdomen.
According to the victim’s account, Belchie punched the rear passenger-side windshield, causing it to shatter. As she attempted to leave, she said Belchie threw what she described as a brick at the front windshield, creating a hole on the passenger side.
Belchie, who was located on a nearby property, initially claimed that the victim had struck him with her car during the incident, causing the damage with his hand as he fell. Deputies, however, noted a lack of dirt or other signs on Belchie’s clothing to support his claim. Additionally, they found a broken cinder block at the end of Belchie’s driveway with fresh blue paint that matched the victim’s vehicle. Belchie offered no explanation for the paint transfer.
The estimated cost of damages to the vehicle is around $2,000.
Belchie was taken to Advent Hospital for medical clearance before being transported to the Marion County Jail. He faces charges of domestic battery on a pregnant person, throwing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle, and felony criminal mischief.
