New Tripoli man faces assault charges

A New Tripoli man has been charged with allegedly threatening to harm a woman after he physically assaulted her.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper John Snyder of the Pennsylvania State Police — Troop M Fogelsville:

At around 10:55 p.m. Tuesday, Snyder interviewed the victim who said that at 4:30 p.m. that day, she went to visit the defendant, Edwin Figueroa, 32, and drop off their son.

The woman said that she was with Figueroa for a couple of hours until a verbal altercation started, and that during the argument, it became physical as Figueroa pushed her into their son, causing him to fall.

The woman said that as she was gathering her belongings to leave, Figueroa struck her in the face with his hand.

The woman said she was then able to leave the property in her vehicle, because Figueroa was being held back by one of his friends.

The woman said she then drove to her residence and was in fear for her safety.

She then traveled to her parents in Tamaqua, and as she was traveling to her residence, she received a text message on her cellphone stating, “I swear to (expletive) God I’ll go to jail tonight if I have to hunt you down.”

The woman then spoke on the phone with Figueroa from the same phone number that she received the text from, at which time Figueroa told her that he will find her and that she has nowhere to hide.

The woman said that Figueroa then arrived in the area of her parent’s house in his vehicle, but then fled from her parent’s house after being involved in a motor vehicle crash.

At the time of the interview, Snyder observed bruising and swelling to the woman’s face consistent with her being struck in the face.

Figueroa has been charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, and harassment.

He is currently incarcerated in Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Allentown Central Court.