Roaring Spring Man Facing Charges of Strangulation

A Roaring Spring man was taken into custody on May 9 following a domestic disturbance at an East Freedom home.

According to Freedom Township police, Michael P. Claar, 40, assaulted a woman on two separate occasions at the residence along Tuscarora Lane.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Freedom Township police were called to the home on May 9 after Blair County 911 received a text message from the victim stating she was being choked by Claar and was afraid for her life.

When Freedom Township police, along with Greenfield Township police, arrived at the scene, the victim ran from the residence with Claar chasing behind her.

After police detained Claar, they questioned the victim, who police said showed them photographs of marks on her throat and neck from May 4, when she said Claar strangled her on two occasions that day to the point where she blacked out.

The victim told police that on May 9, Claar again grabbed her throat and neck and threw her to the floor, causing pain and making her fear for her safety.

Claar is facing a felony charge of strangulation along with a misdemeanor count of simple assault.

He was arraigned by Altoona Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Jones and released on $50,000 unsecured bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today, May 20, in front of Martinsburg Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger.