Man assaulted multiple women in at least 2 Jeffco cities Saturday, police say; more victims sought

Man assaulted multiple women in at least 2 Jeffco cities Saturday, police say; more victims sought

A 29-year-old man is behind bars after authorities say he assaulted multiple people Saturday, and investigators believe there could be more victims.

Brian Malik Barnett is being held in the Midfield City Jail after attacking women at several businesses in that city, said police Chief Jesse Bell.

One of the assaults happened at the Piggly Wiggly Saturday morning. Bell said Barnett tried to get cash back on his credit card and when he could not do so, he roughed up an employee.

The second assault happened at the Chevron on Bessemer Super Highway where, the chief said, he punched a female cashier.

“We also took a report of him damaging property at the Dollar General on Jefferson Avenue,’’ Bell said.

In Homewood, police said, Barnett is accused of assaulting a woman on Lakeshore Parkway. He reportedly was involved in another incident, but that victim did not call police back to file a report.

Bell said Barnett was taken into custody Saturday evening near a plasma donation center in Midfield.

The chief is asking anyone who believes they were a victim of Barnett to call Midfield police at 205-923-7575 or police in the city in which the assault occurred.