Alley assault leads to arrest

Andrew Lajara, 18, faces aggravated assault, other charges

An 18-year-old Lansdale man has been charged with several criminal counts for allegedly attacking his girlfriend in a borough alley Wednesday evening, according to police.

Andrew Damian Lajara, of the first block of East Hancock Street, was arraigned Thursday on one count of first-degree felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor counts of strangulation, reckless endangerment and simple assault and summary harassment in connection with the alleged Aug. 3 incident.

Police said in a criminal complaint that around 7 p.m. on Aug. 2, Lajara and his girlfriend got into a verbal argument inside her vehicle near his apartment, and after they both exited the vehicle and walked into a nearby alley, Lajara threw her to the ground, pinned her with his knee and then put his hands around her neck and choked her for about four seconds when she started screaming for help, she told responding officers.

She told cops that Lajara then grabbed her by the hair and dragged her about a foot before letting go of her, walking into his residence and locking the door, according to the complaint.

Cops said they observed red marks on her neck and arm, broken skin on her right arm and dirt on her clothes all consistent with her version of the assault.

Officers spoke to Lajara — who was the one that dialed 911 to report the alleged assault, according to court documents — and his account was similar to his girlfriend’s except he