A West Des Moines man was arrested on a Dallas County warrant Wednesday in connection with a March 3 incident in which he allegedly strangled his girlfriend before making off with her phone and child-support credit card.
Ira Thomas Jr., 38, of 9005 Bridgewood Blvd., West Des Moines, was charged with domestic abuse assault-impeding air/blood flow, willful injury causing bodily injury and third-degree theft.
The incident occurred March 3 about 1 p.m. in the 9000 block of Bridgewood Boulevard, where “a physical altercation” occurred, and Thomas allegedly “placed his hands across the victim’s throat and knowingly impeded normal breathing and airflow,” according to court records.
The victim told officers of the West Des Moines Police Department that Thomas strangled her “4-5 times during the physical altercation” while making statements such as, “Bitch, you’re going to die,” and “Bitch, I will kill you,” according to court records.
The victim said “that she thought she was going to die,” according to court records.
The officers observed on the victim “red marks, scratches (on) her neck and throat,” and she had “difficulty swallowing,” according to court records.
Following the alleged assault, Thomas allegedly “took the victim’s cell phone and child-support credit card,” according to court records.
A warrant for Thomas’ arrest was ordered March 4 in Dallas County District Court and served March 9. Thomas is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 18 in Dallas County District Court.
Thomas was convicted of first-offense domestic abuse assault-bodily injury or mental illness in 2020 in Polk County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
