Vandergrift police charged a man with slapping his ex-girlfriend and stealing her debit card and vehicle when she refused to give him $50.
Ramon Juan Sims Jr., 26, formerly of Lincoln Avenue in Springdale, but now homeless, was charged with felony burglary along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, receiving stolen property, theft and stalking.
Sims, who had a warrant out of Westmoreland County when he was arrested, faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec on April 11, according to court records.
Police wrote in a criminal complaint charging Sims that officers responded Feb. 24 to a home in the 100 block of 15th Street for a report of an assault and violation of a protection-from-abuse order.
A woman told police she had a PFA against Sims valid until March 22, but he went to her home and demanded $50, according to the complaint.
The woman said Sims punched her in the face and grabbed her by the neck from behind, but she was able to fight him off, according to the complaint.
Police said the woman had marks on her face and neck and took photographs of her injuries.
The woman told police Sims stole her debit card, took her car keys and drove off in her 2019 Nissan sedan, according to the complaint.
While police were questioning the woman about the incident, Sims sent several text messages in which he used obscene language and told her he was coming home, according to the complaint.
Tony LaRussa is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Tony by email at tlarussa@triblive.com or via Twitter .
