Man Punched, Choked Girlfriend Over Cell Phone Dispute: Police

A Joliet man allegedly punched and choked his girlfriend while she was babysitting for a neighbor after she refused to let him check her cell phone, police said.

Chris Patrick, 35, of the 500 block of West Bellarmine is charged with aggravated domestic battery in the July 5 incident.

Joliet Capt. Al Roechner said the victim was at a neighbor's apartment babysitting when Patrick came over and demanded to search her cell phone.

When she refused, Patrick allegedly punched her in the face, giving her a bloody upper lip, and used his forearm to choke her, police said.

Patrick then retreated back to the apartment he shares with the victim, giving her the chance to call police, according to Roechner. When officers arrived, Patrick was no longer in his apartment, but was located hiding behind a nearby building, police said.

Patrick is due in court Monday afternoon, according to jail records.