A Susquehanna County man is accused of repeatedly punching his girlfriend in the face as the two were driving down Main Street in the Simpson area of Fell Twp.
Joseph Paul Rulis, 32, of 220 Vine St., Browndale, is charged with assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
According to the criminal complaint:
At about 11 p.m. on Friday, Carbondale police officers were called to Main Street in Simpson for the report of an assault.
Dispatchers told police that a female, later identified as Emily Mack, was locked a vehicle, with a male attempting to punch out the vehicle’s window to gain entry.
Officers found Mack lying on the side of the road with blood pouring down her face. A male, later identified as Rulis, was standing near the vehicle.
Officers ordered Rulis to the ground and noted fresh blood on his hands and the smell of alcohol. Rulis kept screaming that he had been the one who had called police.
Officers noted Mack was profusely bleeding from her nose and had bruising to her left eye.
She told officers she had been on the way home, with Rulis driving, when the two got into an argument.
Rulis began punching her in the face and calling her by his ex-girlfriend’s name. He then tried to push her out of the vehicle while it was still moving, according to the complaint.
Mack told Rulis she would get out of the vehicle if he pulled over. When he did, Mack attempted to leave, but Rulis kept punching her in the face, police said.
Rulis then got out of the vehicle, and Mack locked the doors and called 911.
Mack said she remembered Rulis punching her windows but didn’t know what happened after that.
She was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Dickson City for treatment.
Rulis allegedly admitted he was drunk. He said he had called 911 but then told dispatchers he had called by accident.
Rulis had cuts on his right hand consistent with punching someone in the face and dried blood on his hands and nose. He was transported to Regional Hospital of Scranton for treatment.
Rulis remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on May 19 before District Judge Alyce Farrell.