By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of a brutal assault against a woman by her boyfriend last Sunday afternoon.

The alleged victim was met by police officers at the Rite Aid drug store at 299 Broadway, whereupon she reported that she and her boyfriend had gotten into an argument and that the quarrel eventually escalated to the point where he began choking her with his hands.

She further stated that the man held her in a headlock when she tried to get away, police said.

The woman reportedly said that she struggled with the man and scratched his arms in an attempt to break free.

He eventually fled the scene, taking her cell phone with him, according to the woman. She told officers that she believed he went to the Mystic housing projects. A search for the man was then begun by police.

The woman called her cell phone, which the man had taken, and he spoke to her and to police officers, who eventually convinced the man to come out of hiding and meet with them.
While questioning the man police noted that there were scratch marks on his arms consistent with the victim’s story.

The alleged assailant, Thomas Dearmon, 19, was taken into custody on charges of assault and battery, violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a class B drug, witness intimidation, and attempted murder.