Bradley Smith

Butler police arrested a city man Wednesday after they say he choked his girlfriend during a domestic dispute at an apartment in the 200 block of East Brady Street.

Bradley R. Smith, 35, is being held in the Butler County Prison on $50,000 bail. He is charged with a felony count of strangulation and a misdemeanor count of simple assault.

Police said they were called around 7 a.m. for a report of a man and woman arguing at an apartment. Officers arrived and found Smith and the victim.

The woman told police that the argument began when the defendant accused her of taking his wallet, according to court documents.

Smith allegedly pushed the victim and threw items around the apartment.

The woman recounted that he “put his hands around her neck,” documents said, “causing her to have difficulty breathing.”

Smith's preliminary hearing was not immediately scheduled.