Vicious Domestic Dispute on Forge Road

Two 911 hangups clued Wilton Police in to the fact that something was amiss on Forge Road early Thursday morning.

Officers arrived at the 20 Forge Road residence to find a 25 year-old woman in the middle of the roadway. She said, despite earlier report to police that nothing was wrong, that she had been seriously assaulted by her boyfriend, Michael Hemingway, 27, of Norwalk.

The resident and Hemingway had been involved in an altercation inside the home when the victim attempted to escape Hemingway by locking herself in a bathroom and trying to call 911. Hemingway thwarted that effort by kicking in the bathroom door and throwing the phone to the ground.

While in the bathroom, Hemingway allegedly held the victim's head under water and poured shampoo in her hair, as well.

The victim then attempted to escape to another room and dial 911 for a second time. Hemingway again followed, kicking in another door and pulling the phone from the receiver, striking the victim with the cord.

Hemingway proceeded to strangle the victim until she passed out. When she regained consciousness, he demanded that she drive him back to his home in Norwalk. During the ride, the victim fled the vehicle and Hemingway continued driving toward his home.

Later, he returned to the Wilton residence and was placed in custody by police, who were on scene at the time.

Hemingway was charged with strangulation in the first degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, two counts of interrupting an emergency call, criminal mischief in the second degree, assault in the third degree, taking a vehicle without the owner's permission and operating under suspension.  He was held in lieu of $25,000.00 bond and transported to Norwalk Superior Court for arraignment.