Maryland man facing assault charges in Rehoboth Beach

A Maryland man is facing charges in Rehoboth Beach, after Police say he assaulted his girlfriend.

Rehoboth Beach Police say on Thursday morning, just after midnight, Officers responded to the Newbold Square townhome complex for a report of a physical domestic disturbance. Once on scene, Officers say they found a woman who had managed to escape the house, where 31-year-old Eugene Abernathy Jr., of Bowie, Maryland, remained. During the investigation, Police say they met with several people, who said that Abernathy and his girlfriend were arguing, which turned physical, in the living room of the home.

According to the report, when the girlfriend tried to get away from Abernathy by running into a bedroom, he followed, before he threw the victim onto the bed, and held her down in an attempt to prevent her from leaving. Police say the victim had to bite Abernathy in order to be able to get away, before spraying him with pepper spray from her keychain.

The victim was apparently then able to get out of the house, and into her car, where Abernathy approached her again, and kicked the car multiple times denting the driver’s side door.  During the altercation the victim apparently got a small cut near the top of her forehead.

Once on scene, Police say they were able to arrest Abernathy, and charged him with with one count of second degree unlawful imprisonment, one count of criminal mischief between $1,000 and $5,000 in damages, and one count of offensive touching. He was then turned over to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $3,500 secured bail. There is also now reportedly a no contact order between Abernathy, and the victim.