Domestic disturbance leads to attempted murder charge

BARSTOW • A domestic disturbance call has led to an attempted murder charge for a Barstow man after he allegedly choked, smothered and threatened to kill his pregnant girlfriend in a Motel 6 hotel room Tuesday, according to a police press release.

Antonio Angelo, 29, was arrested Tuesday and booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s West Valley Detention Center.

At approximately 11:39 a.m., Barstow Police were dispatched to the Motel 6 at 150 Yucca Ave., where arriving officers found Angelo and the victim who was bleeding from a laceration above her eyebrow, crying and visibly upset, police said.

The victim — who told police she is currently 14 weeks pregnant with Angelo’s baby — reported that Angelo was drunk and became angry with her for an unknown reason. She said he began hitting her and pinned her down while choking her with one hand and smothering her with the other hand over her mouth and nose. The victim also reported to officers that, while Angelo was strangling her, he told her that he was going to kill her and her unborn child, the press release said.

The victim was transported to the emergency room at Barstow Community Hospital for treatment of the laceration and complaint of pain, then later released.

The attempted murder charge was “due to the violent injuries inflicted by the suspect upon the victim and the fact that he was already on parole for domestic violence,” Barstow Police Interim Lt. Mike Hunter said.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Barstow Police Department at (760) 256-2211. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may contact the WE Tip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.