A Schuylkill County man is facing a felony charge following a domestic disturbance early Monday morning in Palo Alto.
Zafael McCrea, 33, was detained after police responded to a residence in the 200 block of W. Bacon St. shortly after midnight on Dec. 22.
Upon arrival, police say they noticed a white SUV parked in front of the home with McCrea inside. McCrea told officers he had been sleeping when the woman began ripping up his belongings and packing them.
He alleged she threw his phone outside, smashing it, and began to “rough him up.” Police noted McCrea’s shirt appeared stretched and torn.
Inside the residence, police say they noticed significant disarray, including broken items, spilled liquids on the floor, and broken glass scattered throughout the home.
Police say the female victim of this alleged incident was visibly upset. She stated the altercation began verbally while she was packing McCrea’s belongings.
It turned physical, she said, when McCrea slammed her to the ground, tore a necklace off her neck, and choked her while taking her phone. She told police that McCrea repeatedly threw her to the ground.
The victim reportedly told police she landed primarily on her legs and knees. Officers observed redness on both knees and a fresh scratch with wet blood on her left knee. Police also noted cuts on her hands, including a fresh scratch with wet blood on her right hand.
The woman stated that while she was being thrown around, she grabbed onto nearby objects to prevent herself from falling. She also alleged McCrea struck her in the face. Police say they observed her face to be “entirely red” and noted slight black-and-blue discoloration near her left temple.
A prior domestic call at the same residence drew a police response approximately 12 hours earlier, police say. During that incident, McCrea was reportedly warned he could be arrested for domestic violence and was advised to separate from the woman for the night.
When officers spoke with McCrea a second time, he reportedly admitted that when the woman tried to make him leave, he forced his way back inside, at which point she fell.
McCrea reportedly told police the woman fell because she is pregnant and was “trying to get him arrested.” He later offered an alternative explanation, stating she fell because she was wearing socks on hardwood floors.
McCrea denied causing the injuries to the woman’s hands, stating he was outside the entire time and did not touch her. According to the affidavit, McCrea then told police, “If I hit her, I’m pretty sure it would be a lot worse than what it is.”
Police took McCrea before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer, where he was arraigned on a felony strangulation charge as well as misdemeanor counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct. He’s also been charged with a summary count of harassment.
Bayer set bail at $10,000 unsecured and McCrea was released from custody.
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