Police: Man assaults girlfriend with knife, hammer

LYNN – A judge Thursday ordered a local man to stay out of the city and be monitored by GPS after police said the man strangled his girlfriend and assaulted her with a knife and a hammer.”When (the defendant) saw her on the phone he grabbed her by the throat and forced her to the floor in the kitchen,” Lynn Police Officer Gregory Brotherton wrote in a report. “He stated to her ?I’m gonna kill you if you say anything.'”Angel Vasquez, 21, of 56 Johnson St. #14, turned himself in to police on a warrant for assault and battery; assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts; and witness intimidation; last Friday. Vasquez was arraigned on the charges later that day in Lynn District Court where a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf, according to court documents.Officers responded to the Johnson Street address Jan. 10 and found the alleged victim hyperventilating and crying, and unable to lift her arm, according to police.The alleged victim told police she had argued with Vasquez – who she said had abused her for three years – about his driving drunk, and he began throwing things in the apartment and yelling at her, according to the report.Vasquez allegedly left the room and then returned to find the alleged victim on the phone with another roommate, prompting the alleged choking.The alleged victim said she escaped Vasquez’s grip and he grabbed two beers so he could leave the apartment, police reported. The alleged victim told officers she pleaded with Vasquez not to drive drunk and he began choking her again, releasing her when he sensed she could not breathe.Vasquez then allegedly twisted the alleged victim’s arm while threatening her with the hammer and a knife. When the roommate and other friends knocked on the door, the alleged victim ran out and hid while calling police, according to police.Police reported the alleged victim was taken to the hospital for injuries including redness on her neck and pain in her arm.Judge Antoinette Leoney ordered Vasquez held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing at his arraignment.Vasquez’s attorney stipulated Thursday that the defendant was dangerous and agreed to terms of release including GPS monitoring, that Vasquez have no contact with the alleged victim and witnesses, and stay out of Lynn, according to court documents. Judge James LaMothe ordered Vasquez to return to court Jan. 24.