Man accused of trying to run girlfriend off road

Bail was set at $100,000 for a 19-year-old Gardnerville man who allegedly tried to run a vehicle containing his girlfriend and three other people off the road in a late-night chase.

Tryton Christopher Cox was booked early Wednesday morning into Douglas County Jail and appeared for arraignment in East Fork Justice Court on Thursday.

Cox was admonished to stop making heart signs at the woman after prosecutor Kallie Nelson pointed out that he yelled he loved her while appearing in custody.

Nelson said Cox is accused of battering the woman and then pursuing a vehicle with her and three other people, trying to force it off the road.

“When they stopped, he jumped on the hood of the car screaming at them, then fought with deputies,” she said. “He somehow slipped out of handcuffs, escaped the vehicle and ran toward the victim and had to be tackled.”

Nelson said the woman received injuries to her face, ear and arms in the altercation.

Cox is facing two felonies and several misdemeanors in connection with the incident.

East Fork Justice of the Peace Paul Gilbert agreed that Cox’s alleged behavior posed a threat to the community and those involved. He ordered him to stay away from an address in the Gardnerville Ranchos and not to have any contact with all four subjects should he make bail.

Defense attorney Brian Filter said he was concerned that Cox didn’t seem to realize the full implications of his situation.

“He doesn’t understand many of the things that are happening,” he said.