St. Croix police arrested Richard Durham and charged him with second-degree assault/domestic violence after Durham allegedly choked his girlfriend during a dispute at their Christiansted residence, the V.I. Police Department said.

According to the preliminary report, sometime early Tuesday the two people were arguing. Police said Durham, 52, put his hands around his girlfriend’s neck and squeezed forcibly.

The victim went to the Gov. Juan F. Luis Memorial Hospital about 11 a.m., where she was interviewed by police. Hospital officials said the vessels in the victim’s eyes were ruptured and there was possible damage to her trachea.

Police searched for Durham and arrested him several hours later. Pending further action following his court appearance, Durham was held without bail according to domestic violence laws.