A Scranton man assaulted two women before fleeing police on Thursday, according to a criminal complaint.

Police found Daniel John Shields, 31, of North Main Avenue, hiding inside a Birch Street residence, where officers found drugs and packaging material.

According to the complaint, at about 5 p.m. officers were called to the area of Rosen Court and Alder Street for the report of man who had assaulted the women.

While they were responding, officers were notified that the man was believed to have a knife and a bag full of drugs. He was thought to be on his way to a Birch Street apartment building.

Officers spotted Shields near the Birch Street residence. When he saw the officers, Shields fled inside the building.

Police set up a perimeter around the property. Officers applied for a search warrant of the basement apartment, where they believed Shields was hiding, according to the complaint.

While they were waiting for the warrant to be finalized, Shields came outside and was arrested.

Officers searched the apartment and found packaging materials, digital scales coated with white power, gabapentin, marijuana and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

The two victims told officers they went to the Birch Street address to talk about an issue they were having with a friend.

An argument broke out and they left. When they got to the area near the intersection of Alder Street and Rosen Court, they encountered Shields, the friend’s boyfriend.

Shields began throwing rocks at the car and then choked Cindy Conden, one of the victims.

When Laquan Sartin tried to assist her friend, Shields turned on her and grabbed her by the throat, struck her in the face and then fled, according to the complaint.

The victims said they knew Shields and that he carried illegal drugs with him in a bag.

Officers noted Shields had been arrested several times for narcotics-related incidents, including charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Shields now faces charges of flight to avoid apprehension, evading arrest, simple assault, harassment, possession of controlled substances and related charges.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on June 1 before District Judge Christopher J. Szewczyk.

Shields remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $20,000.