A Summer Street man allegedly choked a woman in his residence on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24.

Omar Taha, 24, was arrested at 12:12 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, after the woman reported the alleged incident to police that morning. He was charged with attempted murder, assault and battery and threats, according to police.

The woman told police that Wednesday morning that Taha went into a “rage” Monday evening when she did not give him the money he asked for. Taha’s eyes opened “very widely” and he looked “through her, searching left and right around the room,” she said.

The woman said that after she told him again that he could not have the money, he quickly came at her and placed both of his hands around her throat and began choking her and screaming at her. He also allegedly threw her to the floor and in a bathtub while choking her.

The woman told police that she did not blackout during the alleged incident. She said she believes she was without oxygen for about 5 seconds.

After Taha stopped choking her, he said, “I have to go,” and left, the woman said.

She left after him, she told police, and did not return until coming into the police station. She said in that roughly two-day span, Taha called her at least 28 times and left threatening voicemails.

Police did not observe any bruises or marks on the woman’s neck. The woman said she was having trouble swallowing and was feeling very stressed and nervous since the alleged incident.

Taha had five past entries on his record for possession with intent to distribute Class B and D drugs, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to police.

After being arrested and hearing the charge of “attempted murder,” Taha allegedly told police that he had not tried to murder the woman, merely “choked her.”

Later, while in his cell, Taha allegedly said, “Officer I did put my hands around her throat, for only a second.” He went on to say that he then realized what he was doing and told the woman, “I don’t know what I am doing, I got to get out of here,” and left, according to police.

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