A Schuylkill County man remains behind bars after police say he assaulted and choked a woman during an argument over using the bathroom.
Pedro Lopez-Mercedes, 24, of Shenandoah, was arrested following a domestic disturbance call at a residence on E. Oak St. on Feb. 10.
Police say they were called to the home shortly after 10:30 p.m.
At the scene, the female victim reportedly told police that she and Lopez-Mercedes had been arguing throughout the day. She said she was in the shower when Lopez-Mercedes began banging on the bathroom door, saying he needed to brush his teeth.
Lopez-Mercedes then allegedly entered the bathroom and struck the woman on the right side of her face. He then attempted to push the woman out of the bathroom.
The victim reported to police that Lopez-Mercedes’ hands slipped and he grabbed her by the hair before grabbing her neck with both hands and began choking her.
The woman told police she could not breathe or speak during the incident and alleged that Lopez-Mercedes told her, “I am going to (bleep) you up.”
Police say the alleged victim had injuries consistent with her claims.
The woman reportedly escaped Lopez-Mercedes’ grasp and informed him she was calling the police. She declined medical treatment from Shenandoah Community Ambulance personnel on the scene.
Lopez-Mercedes was taken into custody and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel on a felony count of strangulation, misdemeanor counts of simple assault, reckless endangerment, and terroristic threats, as well as a summary count of harassment.
Lengel set bail at $25,000 and remanded Lopez-Mercedes to Schuylkill County Prison. Court records show he’s still there as of Feb. 16.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26.
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