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DALLAS TWP. — Township police arrested Michael Anthony Pasternak on charges he assaulted his ex-girlfriend several times this week and violated a court-imposed order banning him from having any contact with her and his family.
Pasternak, 24, was found hiding behind shrubs near his family’s home on Washington Street just before 5 a.m. Thursday. His ex-girlfriend resides with his grandmother and mother, who are protected by a protection-from abuse order that prohibits Pasternak from contacting them.
Police first responded to the residence at about 3 p.m. Monday for a domestic dispute involving Pasternak and his ex-girlfriend. She claimed Pasternak was arguing with her about talking to other men, according to court records.
Pasternak allegedly struck her in the face and slammed her on the ground. He told her to “clean herself” up before police showed up at the house as he sped away in his grandmother’s vehicle without permission, court records say.
Police returned to the residence at 3:46 a.m. Thursday after Pasternak allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend during a conversation about their relationship. She told police Pasternak showed up at the house trying to make her feel bad for not dating him, court records say.
During the conversation, Pasternak demanded to leave with the woman’s cell phone but she refused, and he punched her in the face and head, court records say.
Pasternak fled the house as the woman was transported to a local hospital. He returned to the residence about one hour later, resulting in his grandmother calling police a second time.
Police caught Pasternak hiding behind shrubs.
Pasternak was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Brian Tupper on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal trespass, harassment, unauthorized use of a vehicle, loitering and prowling at night and two counts of indirect criminal complaint. He was also arraigned Friday by District Judge Donald Whittaker on a separate count of indirect criminal contempt.
Pasternak was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $165,000 total bail.