Mar 31, 2016 3 min read

A Washington man upset that the woman he was with hugged another man at a South Strabane Township bar last month allegedly choked her and held her at gunpoint when they returned to his home, city police alleged in charges filed Wednesday.

Alejandro Bocanegra, 39, of 15 Central Ave., is charged with false imprisonment, reckless endangerment and simple assault.

Tammie Lilley, 43, of Canton Township, told police she and Bocanegra were at the North Main Street bar Feb. 20 when she hugged a man who was a friend with whom she previously had a brief relationship. Her friend is also her neighbor.

When they were in Bocanegra’s vehicle returning to his home after leaving the bar, she said Bocanegra took her cellphone. After getting to his home, the two got into an argument about the hugging. Lilley told police she asked Bocanegra to take her home, but she said he refused and ordered her to go upstairs.

He allegedly pushed her on a bed in an upstairs bedroom, put his hands around her neck and choked her until she lost consciousness. When Lilley came to, she said Bocanegra tried to choke her again. Lilley told police she kicked him and went to the first floor in an attempt to leave. Bocanegra allegedly followed her to the living room, got a rifle and ordered her to sit on a couch. He then sat in a chair, and Lilley said they both eventually fell asleep. She told police she woke up and went upstairs to a bedroom, where she again fell asleep.

The two talked the next day, with Bocanegra allegedly telling Lilley she had “44 days to make it right,” apparently referring to their relationship. She said he also made a veiled threat, telling her she would “get it” when she least expected it. He then took her home.

Police said they also found posts on Facebook that seemed to imply a countdown. There also was a photograph depicting a murder scene and another photo of Bocanegra holding an AK-47 assault rifle, police said.

Bocanegra’s brother told police he was home at the time of the alleged assault and did not hear anything or see a gun.

Lilley told police she waited a day to report the incident because Bocanegra told her his family was traveling from Texas and killing people with whom they had disputes. Bocanegra also allegedly told Detective Daniel Rush, who filed the charges, that he was concerned his family would retaliate after learning he had been charged.

Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.