MERIDEN, Conn. — A woman survived an assault in which she was choked until she lost consciousness at the Meriden Train Station Wednesday evening, according to state police.
Meriden resident Curtis Demond Hemmingway, 37, was reportedly arrested and charged with criminal attempt/murder, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree strangulation and second-degree breach of peace.
Around 9:20 p.m. on Sept. 11, Meriden police notified state troopers at Troop I in Bethany that an adult woman walked into their lobby to report an assault that allegedly occurred earlier that evening at the train station.
While she was hospitalized, the woman said that around 8:15 p.m. she was in front of the eastern side of the train station when a heavy-set male allegedly grabbed her from behind, threw her to the ground and began choking her, according to state police.
The woman said she tried to escape from the male but was pinned down by his bodyweight and began losing consciousness, state police say.
The woman offered a limited description of the suspect’s clothing. She said when she regained consciousness, another individual helped her and drove her to her home, where her family encouraged her to report what occurred to the police.
State police say that around 10:47 p.m., they responded to the train station to look for the suspect and noticed security cameras in the area where the incident reportedly occurred. The troopers gained access to the footage, reviewed it, and the footage matched the woman’s description of what happened.
The video showed the accused man fleeing the scene a short time after “physically separating” from the woman, according to state police.
Meriden police were given a detailed description of the suspect from state police, and the video footage was seized for evidence.
According to state police, troopers and Meriden police officers continued searching the area for the suspect and identified and detained an individual consistent in appearance to the accused man around 12:39 a.m. The man had reportedly changed his shirt but was still wearing the same pants and shoes that were captured by the security footage.
State police identified the detained man as Hemmingway, placed him under arrest and brought him to Troop I, where he was subsequently charged.
Hemmingway was held on a $150,000 cash/surety bond and placed in the custody of the New Haven Correctional Center. His arraignment was scheduled at Meriden Superior Court Friday.
The woman who was victimized was treated at a local hospital and released, state police say, adding that there is no further threat to the public as the incident appears to be isolated.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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