Woman claws and bites accused attacker choking her in university parking lot, WA cops say
A woman bit and clawed a man attacking her in a Washington university parking lot, police said.
The woman called 911 at about 12:15 p.m. Oct. 17, the Spokane Police Department said in a Facebook post.
She was on the Washington State University campus when she walked by a man who she thought was a worker wearing a fluorescent jacket, police said.
The man looked at her and smiled, police said.
Then he followed her and grabbed her from behind as she placed items in her vehicle, police said.
He spun her around and began to choke her, “attempting to force her down to the ground while squeezing her throat,” police said.
The woman fought back, clawing, scratching and biting the man’s hand until he let her go, police said.
He fled from the area and dropped items on the ground that helped police identify him, authorities said.
Police arrested 27-year-old Michael Trout at an apartment complex less than 90 minutes later.
He was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree assault.
Trout has previously been convicted of second-degree assault for strangulation and second-degree taking motor vehicle without permission.
