Police: Man found choking unconscious woman behind dumpster

VERO BEACH — A 48-year-old man was detained after police found him choking an unconscious woman behind a dumpster, officials said.

Vero Beach police arrested Michael James Bales, described as homeless, on a charge of battery by strangulation. Bales was held Friday at the Indian River County Jail on $50,000 bond.

An officer responded about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to reports of an unconscious woman behind a dumpster on the north side of Walgreens, 1705 U.S. 1. The policeman spotted a man, later identified as Bales, crouching over the woman, reports show.

Bales had both of his hands tightly wrapped around the woman’s neck, police said. Police said the woman, later identified as Bales’ girlfriend, appeared lifeless and had several cuts to her face.

Bales refused to listen to the officer’s commands to get away from the woman. The officer grabbed Bales by the shoulders and threw him away from the woman, reports show.

The woman regained consciousness shortly after and was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, police said. Police arrested Bales and took him to the county jail, where he became combative.

Bales has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. Nov. 1, court records show.