Hazel Park man faces charges for allegedly choking girlfriend

HAZEL PARK — A Hazel Park man has been charged with felony assault after police said he admitted to strangling his girlfriend, who survived but is bruised. Police are also reminding the public that help is available to anyone who believes they’re in an abusive relationship.

Hazel Park Police Lt. William Hamel said that officers were called to a home in Hazel Park around 7 p.m. on June 24. The three occupants include the suspect, Robert Narducci, his girlfriend and another man. The other man is the one who called the police, saying an altercation had taken place. The girlfriend told police that Narducci had choked her for about 20 seconds.

She said that Narducci first hit their dog as it barked at him, and then she punched at him to defend the dog. That’s when he allegedly grabbed her.

The woman reportedly had bruises on her body, as well as a recent scratch mark running down the side of her throat. She said that she briefly lost consciousness while she was being strangled.

Hamel said Narducci admitted to grabbing the woman’s neck and squeezing it. The suspect later said that he was experiencing pain in his chest, so paramedics transported both him and the girlfriend to a hospital. Narducci was arrested after he was treated.

Narducci has now been charged with a felony count of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm less than murder, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He was arraigned in Hazel Park 43rd District Court on June 27. Bail was set at $5,000 cash. As per the terms of his bond, he will undergo random testing for drugs and alcohol, and he is barred from contacting the victim.

At press time, Narducci did not have an attorney on record. He was next scheduled for a probable cause conference in the same court on July 11.

“The case is closed on our end,” Hamel said. “We have obtained all the information we can submit to the prosecution. They will decide how to proceed with the case.”

He said that there are resources available for anyone who feels trapped in an abusive relationship.

“If there’s a risk of violence and they feel like they don’t have anywhere to go, there are options like HAVEN, in Pontiac — they have a women’s shelter that also provides counseling, and offers assistance for victims of domestic violence,” Hamel said.

HAVEN of Oakland County has a location at 801 Vanguard Drive in Pontiac and can be reached by calling (248) 334-1284.

“They can also contact us at the Police Department, of course,” Hamel said. “We do have resources that can be made available to them, be it counseling or shelters, if they need it. And they can also go to the Oakland County Circuit Court website, which provides information on how to obtain a personal protection order.”

The Oakland County Circuit Court’s website can be found at oakgov.com/government/courts/circuit-court. The Hazel Park Police Department is located at 111 E. Nine Mile Road, next to City Hall, and can be reached by calling (248) 542-6161.