A 27-year-old Desert Passage man faces domestic violence charges after police say he “destroyed” his home Tuesday.
Matthew Richardson around 6 p.m. that evening said his wife needed to “get off the phone and assist with taking care of the children,” according to a probable cause statement.
An argument ensued, during which Richardson toppled several large pieces of furniture, hurled children’s toys and held his wife’s phone hostage when she tried to call 911. She tried to use a tablet computer to send an instant message to first responders, but Richardson allegedly wrestled the tablet away from her, too.
That’s when she was able to lunge for her phone and call the cops, leading Richardson to flee the scene in an effort to evade justice. It wasn’t long before officers contacted him, and he confessed to everything.
Two children younger than 10 were present in the Peggy Street home during the incident, according to the probable cause statement. The wife, who was not injured, was holding one of the young children during the altercation.
Richardson was arrested without incident and booked him into the Pinal County jail on domestic violence charges of assault, disorderly conduct and preventing a 911 call. He faces 18 months behind bars.
Resources for people experiencing domestic violence in Maricopa include:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence: 602-279-2980
Hope Women’s Center: 520-568-0532
Against Abuse, Inc.: 520-836-0858
This post Desert Passage man arrested, cops say he ‘destroyed the house’ appeared first on InMaricopa.