City Man Held in Attack at Ex-Girlfriend's Home

A Bethlehem man is in Northampton County Prison after he allegedly hid in his ex-girlfriend’s home, attacked her, stole her cell phone and smashed a 52-inch Sanyo flat-screen television on Wednesday night, according to city police.

Brandon Lewis McDowell, 30, of the 500 block of Fiot Avenue, got into an argument with the victim, who is also the mother of his child, regarding who the rightful owner of the television was, according to court documents.

When the victim returned home, records say, McDowell allegedly grabbed the woman around the face and threw her to the ground. McDowell had been hiding inside the victim's residence, which he does not have keys to and is not permitted inside.

The victim told police “that she was able to get to her feet and attempted to get away when [McDowell] threw her to the floor again, this time sitting on her and covering her mouth so she could not be heard screaming,” records say.

While she was pinned down, McDowell took the woman’s cell phone from her back pocket and then went into the kitchen, according to court documents.

The victim then ran out of the home to seek help.

When Officer David Bowerman of the Bethlehem Police Department arrived on scene, he observed a smashed television -- valued at about $1,200 -- an open living room window and a damaged screen. The officer also noticed a door that leads to the rear of the residence that appeared to have been damaged from being forced open.

The victim had noticeable scratches on her left arm, which she told police were from the assault, records say.

McDowell was arraigned before District Judge John Capobianco of Nazareth and charged with robbery, burglary, simple assault, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.