Man Allegedly Strangled His Ex-Girlfriend and Stole Her Laptop

At around 11:40 p.m. on Friday, a female victim called 911 to report that her ex-boyfriend, 29-year-old Joseph Peasley, had entered her apartment in the 200 block of Connell Avenue after she told him not to, then hit her and stole her laptop. The victim said Peasley often has a gun on or with him. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

“There was a report of a domestic physical disturbance and a robbery in progress,” Arnold said. “On scene, the officers made contact with the victim who explained the male suspect, Joseph Peasley, had left the scene already. In the officer’s initial investigation, they observed a scene consistent with the victim’s statement, a disturbance and injuries to the victim. Officers were able to locate Peasley and take him into custody a short time later without incident.”

The victim shared some portions of a text message conversation between herself and Peasley in which she appeared to have ended their relationship via text message at around 10:30 p.m. During that conversation, Peasley told the victim he was coming over to get his things. She told him he had no things and not to come over.

Court documents indicate Peasley showed up at her apartment within a few minutes and entered through the unlocked front door. Peasley began yelling at the victim telling her she needed to give him money or buy him beer. Peasley began going through the victim’s belongings and throwing things around the room. Peasley is 6’9” tall and weighs 340 pounds and the victim is 5’9” tall. Peasley allegedly pushed the victim against the counter, placed both hands around her throat, and began strangling her. The victim believed Peasley was going to kill her and that “this was genuinely it.”

Peasley then released the victim’s throat, slapped her on the right side of her face, squeezed her head at her temples, and pulled her hair. Peasley then grabbed the victim’s laptop and left. The victim said Peasley has strangled her on approximately 25 prior occasions since January 2021. Peasley declined to make a statement.

Peasley was charged with felony strangulation of a partner or family member, felony burglary, partner or family member assault, and theft.