An Ocala man, the grandson of the greatest drag car racer of all time, was arrested on a battery charge after reportedly hurling a paint can in the face of his former fiancée.
According to the arrest record, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office officer spoke with the female victim on Monday, April 20, who informed him that she had been abused by her ex-fiancé, Rodney Donald Garlits, four weeks prior while living in the same home.
The victim stated that she had a dispute with Garlits, who is 37 years old, on Saturday, March 21. During the heated argument, Garlits allegedly grabbed a gallon-sized paint can that was “still full of paint.”
Garlits then allegedly flung the paint can, hitting the victim in the face. According to the victim’s account, she grabbed her cellphone to call police, but Garlits “took the phone out of (her) hands.”
While holding the victim’s phone, Garlits allegedly offered to “pay $5,000 for medical expenses,” which the victim declined. The woman then asked for her phone, which was eventually returned to her and she used it to document her injuries.
According to the investigation, the woman “did not call 911 out of fear of what (Garlits) might do to her.”
The deputy examined images of the victim’s injuries. According to the report, “dried blood” was found “around (the victim’s) face,” with a cut visible on the inside of her bottom lip. The deputy stated that the injuries “appear to coincide with being struck in the face with a paint can.”
Around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20, the deputy responded to an Ocala residence and discovered Garlits. According to the investigation, Garlits stated that the altercation with the victim on March 21 was “about a drill (power tool),” after being reminded of his Miranda rights.
Garlits informed the deputy that the victim “became erratic during the course of the argument,” which took place outside his truck. Garlits stated that he approached the driver’s seat to “de-escalate the situation,” but the victim “opened the back door” and “began throwing multiple items from the backseat of the truck.”
During the encounter, Garlits said that the victim “balled her fist” and repeatedly struck him in the face. According to Garlits, the victim “began slapping and punching herself in the face, causing her injuries.”
According to the report, Garlits denied punching the victim.
Garlits was arrested and sent to Marion County Jail, where he remains in detention without release. He is charged with battery (touch or strike) and obstructing, delaying, or stopping a law enforcement official from communicating information related to the conduct of an offense.
According to jail records, Garlits is set to appear in Marion County court on Tuesday, May 26 at 9 a.m.
Garlits is the grandson of drag racing hero Donald Glen “Big Daddy” Garlits, who is regarded as the greatest drag car racer of all time and the namesake of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala.
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