Stalled Car Leads to Domestic Violence Arrest

An Allentown man who is accused of holding a Bethlehem Township woman against her will was caught with his victim when his car ran out of gas on Stefko Boulevard early Friday, according to court papers.

Nelson Rios Jr., 29, of 345 N. Fourth St., was allegedly physically and mentally abusive to his victim, his girlfriend, who told Bethlehem police that she tried to get away from him on several occasions.

Police became involved at 4:19 a.m. when Officer James Hoffman spotted a silver Honda Accord parked in the road on the 1100 block of Stefko Boulevard.

According to the affidavit:

• Rios said he had run out of gas. The woman seated on the passenger side of the car said that Rios had hit her. Rios said they had an argument and nothing happened.
• The woman had a bruise on her forehead and abrasions on her left elbow and on the ridge of her hands. She said she and Rios got into an argument over his ex-girlfriend.
• She said she told Rios that she wanted to go home, but he refused to take her there, instead taking her to his apartment in Allentown.
• Once they arrived there, she said, Rios slammed her onto his bed and started to yell at her. She said she made several attempts to leave, but he would not allow it, once grabbing her by the jaw and slamming her head against a wall.
• Rios threatened to punch her in the face if she tried to leave and then punched her in the back of the head several times.
• Eventually, Rios wanted the woman out of his apartment and so he told her to get into his car and he would drive her home. She said she exited the apartment and then tried to run away, but Rios grabbed her and threw her into the car.
• Rios then drove into Bethlehem. The woman told police she did not have a cell phone and was waiting for the right moment to leave. When she tried to leave the car, Rios grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back in. Rios had reached over and closed the passenger side door as police arrived at the scene.

Rios was charged with unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment. He was arraigned before District Judge Patricia Romig-Passaro and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.