BELLEVILLE (WWJ) – A Downriver man is behind bars after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend at a rest area along I-94 Tuesday morning.
Michigan State Police troopers were called to the Belleville Rest Area just south of Willow Run Airport around 9 a.m. after a woman called to report she had been assaulted by her boyfriend.
After speaking with the victim and multiple witnesses, investigators determined the 29-year-old Rockwood man hit and strangled the woman while they were in their car in the parking lot.
The woman sustained injuries that required medical treatment, according to MSP.
The boyfriend, whose name has not been released, fled the scene after she called 911. Troopers went to multiple locations in search of the suspect, but couldn’t locate him, officials said.
Troopers were ultimately able to contact the suspect’s mother at her home and got his phone number. After speaking with troopers on the phone, he agreed to meet them at his mother’s house, where he was taken into custody.
Officials say the suspect also had several warrants for his arrest from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. The details of those warrants were not released and it was not clear what charges he may face for Tuesday’s alleged assault.
“Domestic violence can happen to anyone,” said MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw. “It doesn’t matter the race, gender education level or economic status. But there is help available.”
Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or knows someone who needs help is urged to call the domestic violence hotline at 800-787-3224 or 911.
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