A Nesquehoning man is heading to court on assault and strangulation charges after police say he broke his girlfriends ribs.

James Pitre, 32, of West Garibaldi Avenue, was arrested by Nesquehoning police after the altercation on Nov. 11. He was charged with strangulation, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

According to an affidavit, filed by officers Charles McFeely and Richard Neikam, police were called to Turkey Hill on West Catawissa Street for an unknown issue.

Upon arrival, police spoke with the victim, who said she had been assaulted by Pitre and had broken ribs so she couldn’t catch her breath. Pitre had fled the scene after the assault at his residence.

The victim reported that the pair argued and it escalated to Pitre breaking her and her son’s cellphones so they couldn’t call for help and then he choked her and slammed her over his knee.

The victim refused transportation to the hospital but drove herself to St. Luke’s Miners campus.

Police searched the area and located Pitre in the CVS parking lot on Locust Street. He was taken into custody and declined to speak with police.

He was arraigned before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek and is free after posting $5,000 bail.

His case was waived to court on Wednesday.