Local man arrested for strangling, punching girl wanted for theft on warrant

A Bloomington man was arrested Sunday after allegedly strangling and punching a 13-year-old girl in the face.

A witness called police Sunday evening saying he had seen an older male in the street dragging a young female by the throat, Lt. David Drake of the Bloomington Police Department said.

The man dragged the girl back into a home on the 100 block of South Yancy Lane, the witness said.

Officer Ethan Haley responded to the home and observed Robert A. Dike, 45, chasing and screaming after the girl.

The girl had been struck in the face and was bleeding from the mouth, Drake said.
She had a busted lip, a bruise on her forehead and complained of pain in the ribs.

The victim was transported by ambulance to the Bloomington Hospital and treated for her injuries, Drake said.

Dike told police that the girl was “out of control” and that he was only trying to restrain her.

He was charged with strangulation and battery, a class D felony when the victim is younger than 14 years old.

Dike was also wanted for theft on a warrant from Lawrence County and is in jail, Drake said.

— Jake New