A man accused of strangling and striking a woman in Randle on Saturday, then trying to take her phone when she called 911, is now facing several felony domestic violence charges in Lewis County Superior Court.
Bail is set at $50,000.
Cody Alan Andresen, 36, of Randle, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at 7:09 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, for allegedly assaulting a woman at their shared residence earlier that day, according to jail records and court documents.
The victim reported she had recently moved into the residence, located in the 100 block of Frosty Rose Lane. She and Andresen reportedly got into an argument on Aug. 31 after Andresen told her to leave.
During the argument, Andresen allegedly placed both his hands on her throat and strangled her until “she felt like she was going to pass out,” then “struck her with both of his hands on the sides of her head by her ears,” according to court documents.
The victim then tried to call 911, but Andresen allegedly “attempted to physically take her phone from her hands.” He then reportedly fled the residence with his girlfriend in a white vehicle.
Children were reportedly inside the residence at the time of the incident.
Responding personnel with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office took photographs of the victim’s injuries, which included “a slight red coloration on her cheek.”
A deputy later located Andresen at his girlfriend’s residence and arrested him. When questioned, Andresen allegedly “denied that he had assaulted (the victim) and said he moved her out of the way so he could leave the residence,” according to court documents.
He was charged Tuesday, Sept. 3, in Lewis County Superior Court with one count each of second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault and interfering with domestic violence reporting. Each charge carries a domestic violence enhancement.
While the defense argued for a lower bail amount due to Andresen’s lack of criminal history, Judge Joely Yeager found that the community safety risk posed by Andresen’s alleged crimes posed a significant community safety risk.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 12.
