Lewes– The Delaware State Police arrested 33-year-old AUSTIN J. BALKE for aggravated menacing and related charges following a domestic incident, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffe said on July 6, 2020, at approximately 6:55 p.m., Troopers were dispatched to the unit block of Gainsborough Drive, Lewes, for a report of a physical domestic. Further investigation revealed that Austin Balke had engaged in an argument earlier in the morning with his 32-year-old girlfriend after her father had left for work.
Balke proceeded to physically assault the victim and took her cell phone to hinder her from calling 911, according to Jaffe. Throughout the day, Balke continued to physically assault the victim while trapping her in her bedroom, said Jaffe. The woman was strangled, had her hearing aid ripped out and Balke threatened to kill her after he broke a glass bottle, added Jaffe.
When the victim’s father returned home from work, he saw that his daughter had been assaulted. As the father was in the process of leaving the residence with his daughter, Balke threatened to harm him numerous times. The victim and her father were subsequently able to leave the residence without further incident.
Balke was taken into custody at the residence and was found in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported back to Troop 7 where he was charged with the following:
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
Strangulation (Felony)
Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Unlawful Imprisonment Second Degree
Terroristic Threatening
Assault Third Degree
Criminal Mischief (2 counts)
Malicious Interference Emergency Communications
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Balke was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $37550.00 cash only bond.