Sterling Man Threatened To Burn Down Woodbridge Woman's Home: Police

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A Sterling man assaulted a woman, threatened her with a knife, and said he'd burn down her home in Woodbridge, according to the Prince William County Police Department.

The victim, a 19-year-old woman, reported minor injuries.

Authorities identified the suspect as 19-year-old Gabriel Rivera of Sterling. He is charged with strangulation, threats to burn, and domestic assault and battery.

His court date is pending and his bond is unavailable, the police report said. If convicted of all charges, Rivera could face up to 16 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

The incident occurred around on Wednesday morning at a home in the 2700 block of Corbin Court. The victim told police that she was with Rivera when an argument escalated.

"During the encounter, the accused grabbed the victim’s neck and threatened her with a knife before throwing her to the ground and kicking her," the police department said. "The accused left the residence and later called threatening to burn down the victim’s home."

Rivera was arrested by police officers on Wednesday evening.

There are a number of resources available to victims of domestic abuse in Virginia. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be found at 1-800-799-7233. Virginia's family violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-838-8238.