ONONDAGA COUNTY — State Police arrested a Syracuse man Sunday night after a 911 call led troopers to a black Chevrolet Malibu on Interstate 81 southbound in Onondaga County.
Police responded to the area at 10:01 p.m. after receiving a call with a female in the background screaming for help.
According to State Police, the caller stated she was on the highway and the call disconnected soon after.
Troopers located a vehicle matching the description stopped in a parking lot on Route 11 in Lafayette.
When troopers approached, the operator of the vehicle attempted to drive away before stopping at their request.
Police identified the driver as Richie A. Beharri, age 32, of Syracuse.
During the stop, a female emerged walking toward troopers, crying for help and bleeding from the head.
Emergency Medical Services arrived and provided medical care to the woman at the scene.
The woman told troopers that Beharri had kicked and punched her earlier in the day and continued to strike her while driving her home on Interstate 81.
She said she attempted to defend herself and call 911 but alleges Beharri took her phone and threw it.
Beharri then exited the highway and stopped in the parking lot where troopers located them.
Troopers reported that Beharri appeared impaired and failed standardized field sobriety tests.
Beharri was arrested at the scene.
The female victim was transported by ambulance to Upstate Hospital for evaluation.
During a vehicle inventory before towing, troopers found an open bottle of Hennessy liquor and a damaged iPhone belonging to the victim.
Beharri was charged with assault in the third degree, criminal mischief with intent to damage property, criminal mischief for preventing an emergency call, driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle.
He was processed at SP Lafayette and transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center, where he is being held pending arraignment.
