A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an Allentown man wanted in connected with an alleged assault in Pottsville last week.
Police in Pottsville say they were called to the 1100 block of W. Arch St. on the morning of Jan. 8 for an assault.
At the scene, police say they spoke with a woman who said she was awoken at about 6:30 a.m. by Rashid Baker, 44, of Allentown, who was in her bedroom. The woman said she had been in a relationship with Baker but it ended about a year ago.
Baker had allegedly showed up at the woman’s home uninvited in the past. She said that he either slipped the lock or had a key to her place without her knowing.
The woman says she demanded Baker leave her residence or she’d call the police. It was at this point that Baker allegedly grabbed the woman’s phone and went downstairs.
After the woman asked Baker to give her phone back, she says Baker grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the floor. He then placed both hands on her throat and began choking her, she said.
Baker then allegedly grabbed a pillow from the woman’s couch and began to smother her with it. He then fled the scene, allegedly taking the woman’s phone with him.
Police say the woman had visible injuries to her neck.
A canvass of the area around the woman’s residence came up empty for Baker.
Magisterial District Court Judge James Reiley signed a warrant for the arrest of Baker. He’s being charged with felony counts of strangulation, burglary, criminal trespass, and aggravated assault as well as misdemeanor counts of simple assault, theft, and criminal mischief.
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