Millsboro man beat, strangled girlfriend to the point of injury, police say

A Millsboro man was arrested after police say he beat and strangled his girlfriend in Rehoboth Beach.

According to the Rehoboth Beach Police Dept., just before 10 p.m. Thursday, September 12, officers were called to the second block of Olive Avenue for a report of a woman screaming.

Officers arrived and learned that the incident stemmed from a man and woman who were arguing.

The woman, a 46 year old from Millsboro, alleged that her boyfriend, 28-year-old Jarrod Howell, also of Millsboro, had been physically abusing her over the last several hours.

The victim alleged that Howell struck her in the eye with a closed fist and grabbed her by the neck, choking her. She had swelling around her eye, scratches on her face, and signs of nose bleed.

Howell allegedly took her cell phone to prevent her from calling 911, police said.

Officers located Howell in his hotel room approximately one block from the incident. He was in possession of the victim’s phone and also had a pad lock tied to a bandana on his person. He was taken into custody without incident.

Howell was charged with one count of strangulation, a felony, one count of assault in the third degree, one count of theft less than $1500.00, one count of carrying a concealed dangerous instrument, one count of malicious interference with emergency communications, and one count of disorderly conduct.

He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $7,000 cash bail.