Homeless man accused of attacking individual near downtown Ames

An Ames man has been arrested and charged with felony assault after allegedly attacking a pedestrian near downtown Ames.

According to a criminal complaint, a man entered the Ames Police Department lobby early Tuesday morning to report the assault. The victim told officers he had never met the suspect before, but that he encountered the male subject while walking his dog.

The suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Rex Duane Scott Chiles of Ames, was reportedly “squatting behind a bush” before “unpleasant words” were exchanged between the two individuals. Per the victim, Chiles punched him from behind, at which point the victim fell to the ground. Chiles is then accused of kicking the victim “in the face and head.”

When the victim arrived at the police department, he was reportedly observed with “a swollen right cheek and right eyebrow.” According to the complaint, he was seen with blood “all over his face.” Paramedics were called to check on the victim, who “appeared to be confused and seemed to have a head concussion.” He was later taken to Mary Greeley Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a fractured eye socket, broken nose, and scratched eye. He also received stitches to treat an injury and was later released.

The victim described the suspect to authorities as “a white male, 5’10”, about 28-35 years old, with [a] beard, wearing blue jeans and [a] white shirt.” Officers followed up at the scene of the incident near the 200 block of Seventh Street and located Chiles sitting behind a nearby bush. Chiles matched the description of the suspect, according to the complaint.

Rex Chiles, 35, is accused of assaulting a man who was walking his dog near downtown Ames. *(Photo: Story County Jail)*

In addition to the positive descriptors, Chiles reportedly had a “fresh blood stain” on his shirt and “scratches on his knuckles.” According to investigators, Chiles admitted to police that he had been involved in an altercation with another male and pointed to the exact location of the incident, where blood was also found.

Chiles, who is reportedly homeless, was taken into custody and charged with Assault Causing Serious Injury, a class “D” felony. He is currently being held at the Story County Jail in Nevada on a total bond of $5,500, which includes a charge for violating probation.

Court documents indicate that Chiles is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 20 at 1:00 p.m.