Strangulation Charges Filed in Oil City Domestic Dispute

| June 16, 2017

police-car-lightsOIL CITY, Pa (EYT) – An alleged domestic dispute Wednesday morning led to second-degree felony charges against an Oil City man.

Oil City police responded to a report of a domestic dispute at 245 Bissell Avenue shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 14.

Upon arriving at the scene, Patrolmen Ruditis and Ragon encountered two female victims in front of the Bissell Street residence and the alleged perpetrator, Lucas Christopher Donze, 35, on the other side of the street.

According to a criminal complaint filed at District Magistrate Matthew Kirtland’s office in Franklin, Patrolman Ruditis reported that one of the victims claimed that she and her husband, Lucas, were arguing in the residence. She asked him to leave the house because he was allegedly “under the influence” of a controlled substance.

Lucas Donze left the house, but the argument continued. He allegedly forced his way back into the house, at which time he allegedly grabbed the woman by the throat and began to choke her, according to the criminal complaint.

The alleged fight was witnessed by a female neighbor who entered the house and tried to intervene. The neighbor succeeded in breaking Lucas’ chokehold by “body checking him,” at which time Lucas allegedly struck her on the arm.

Donze was charged with second-degree felony strangulation, a misdemeanor simple assault charge, and two misdemeanor harassment charges.

He was arraigned before Judge Kirtland and remanded to the Venango County Prison on a $20,000.00 cash bail.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 21 before Judge Kirtland.

 


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