A Wilkes-Barre man is accused of strangling his former girlfriend, following her home from work and damaging her vehicle during a fight over his belongings, according to Scranton police.
Faruq Hikim McCoy, 22, of 312 N. Empire Court, faces charges of strangulation, unlawful restraint, assault, criminal mischief and harassment.
At about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Ines Musanabera was leaving work and walking toward her vehicle when McCoy approached her and demanded his belongings, which he had left at her residence. Musanabera told officers McCoy had been texting her all day about his clothes. At one point, he texted, “I shoot up ya crib, let’s see who really the one dead,” according to the criminal complaint.
McCoy then entered his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle through the passenger-side door and sat inside. He grabbed Musanabera by the hand and bit her on the shoulder, police said. Officers noted Musanabera’s thumb was swollen and she had bite marks on her shoulder.
She told police McCoy had also grabbed her by the throat and strangled her, making it difficult for her to breathe. At that point, her co-workers began arriving in the parking garage and McCoy left and drove away from the area.
McCoy then followed Musanabera to the parking lot of her residence and asked her to retrieve his clothing. While Musanabera was gathering the belongings inside, McCoy shattered the rear window of her vehicle with a paint can, police said.
A witness told officers she heard the sound of glass breaking and spotted a man walk to an area of the parking lot to pick up an object. When the witness asked the man what he had picked up, he got into his car and left hurriedly, police said. Officers searched the area and found additional paint cans nearby.
McCoy remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Nov. 13 before District Judge George Seig.