Woman Choked At Bel-Air Motel, Hides In Bathroom: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 46-year-old Joliet man from the 400 block of Western Avenue is now in the Will County Jail after Joliet police say he attacked a woman he knows early Monday morning at one of the guest rooms for the Bel-Air Motel on Plainfield Road.

Officers hauled away Timothy Thurmond in handcuffs on charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

The incident leading to Thurmond's arrest happened around 12:15 a.m. Monday.

"An argument ensued while the victim and Thurmond were in a guest room," police spokesman Dwayne English notified Joliet Patch. "After Thurmond became angry, the victim left the room to find a friend of the victim to assist in calming Thurmond down, but was unsuccessful."

English said the victim returned to the guest room and that's when Thurmond pushed the victim onto the bed and held her down by her hair.

Thurmond then choked the victim, causing her to have difficulty breathing, police reports show.

"Thurmond then stood up and blocked the doorway while threatening the victim with a pocket knife, preventing the victim from leaving the room," English said.

At that point, Thurmond pressed the knife against the victim, causing minor wounds to her body, authorities said.

The victim locked herself in the bathroom and contacted 911. Officers contacted Thurmond in the room and placed him into custody without incident.

Thurmond remained in the Will County Jail on Tuesday unable to post his $50,000 bail.