Pender County man in custody after allegedly strangling his girlfriend

Sep. 1—A Pender County man is in custody after his girlfriend was found "beaten and injured," according to a news release from the Pender County Sheriff's Office.

Robert Dillon Rocha, 22, was arrested Wednesday by the Pender County Sheriff's Office and charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation and domestic assault on a female.

According to the release, Rocha allegedly attacked his girlfriend and fled on foot. The woman was found near Thankful Road in Rocky Point. Rocha was later arrested near Mooretown Road after a search of a wooded area nearby.

Rocha has a history of domestic assault, according to the news release. He is reportedly homeless, according to the release, and has been living in a wooded area at a dead end on Mooretown Road and Thankful Road in Rocky Point.

The victim was treated by EMS at the scene. No further details on her condition are available at this time.

Reporter Sydney Hoover can be reached at 910-343-2339 or shoover@gannett.com.

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