Angry Boyfriend Chokes Girlfriend Over Flat Tire: Prosecutor

Evan Potter, 22 | Cook County Sheriff

Charges were upgraded for a man accused of putting his hands around his girlfriend’s neck because he was irate about a flat tire, prosecutors said.

Evan Potter, 22, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony charge of aggravated battery with strangulation. Charges were upgraded from misdemeanor domestic battery.

According to the charges, Potter and his girlfriend were riding in a car around 8 p.m. Dec. 28 in Burr Ridge, when the car got a flat. Potter became irate and began punching and pulling his girlfriend’s hair, bloodying her face.

Prosecutors said Potter put his hands around the woman’s neck and began choking her until she until she couldn’t breathe, completely cutting off her circulation.

According to court records, Potter has a prior conviction for aggravated battery with strangulation from 2013.

Bail was set at $25,000. If he bonds out, the judge ordered Potter to wear a GPS locator. He was told to stay away from his girlfriend.

Potter is due back in court on Feb. 4 in Bridgeview.