SPARTANBURG, SC (AP) – A South Carolina man is in custody for allegedly attacking his girlfriend twice and causing several fires because he was angry that his $ 600 stimulus check was taken by the government to pay child support.
At a press conference on Friday, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said Ray Michael Bradford Jr., 36, of Spartanburg was charged with attempted murder, three counts of arson and malicious destruction of property.
Bradford appeared before a judge on Thursday, where his bail was denied, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported. It was not known whether Bradford had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
Wright said the Bradford victim was treated at the Spartanburg Medical Center for multiple injuries to the face, head, neck and body.
“She was beaten very badly,” said Wright. “She may have to have surgery to fix a broken nose and broken jaw.”
The victim told deputies that her boyfriend started attacking her at her home. She said she was hit by a lamp and table leg and thrown on the floor several times, Wright said.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman, Lieutenant Kevin Bobo, said in a statement that the victim managed to leave his home and run towards Cleveland Park, but Bradford chased and assaulted her again, dragging her toward a lake, he said. Stew. She managed to break free again and ran to a neighbor who called 911, he said.
After the attack, MPs say Bradford would have caused several fires, one in his home and at least two vehicles. He was captured, holding a bottle full of gasoline, after being seen walking along Highway 221, said Bobo.
“He decided he was mad because he didn’t get his $ 600 to spend the way he wanted to,” said Wright.
The stimulus money was provided to help pay the alimony that Bradford owed, he said.