Tempe Police reported the following incident Wednesday:
- A 25-year-old Tempe man was arrested Tuesday near West Southern Avenue and South Kyrene Road in Tempe on suspicion of aggravated assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct, police reported.
Investigation revealed that he got into a verbal argument with a woman while inside Rivas Mexican Food restaurant at 240 West Southern Avenue in Tempe, according to a report.
During the argument, she pointed the fingers in the face of the man, police reported.
The man slapped her hand away and she slapped him in the face with an open hand, according to a report.
The man then punched her in the face with a closed fist, causing her to lose consciousness and fall to the floor, hitting her head, police reported.
A larger altercation then ensued between the man and several other bystanders, according to a report.
During the altercation, two tables, three chairs and a window were broken, causing an estimated $1,200 in damage, police reported.
The man fled the scene in a friend’s vehicle to avoid police contact, according to a police report.
The woman was transported to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, where it was discovered that she sustained a maxillary fracture to the right side of her face, an occipital/orbital fracture near the brow line of her right eye, a parietal contusion behind her right ear, a severe laceration to her lower lip and a subarachnoid hemorrhage to her brain, police reported.
A doctor who was interviewed stated that her injuries constituted serious physical injury, according to a police report.
A neurosurgeon was consulted regarding the subarachnoid hemorrhage, police reported.
The doctor stated that a plastic surgeon would need to fix the laceration to her lower lip, according to a police report.
The man was contacted at his residence, police reported.
After being read his Miranda rights, he stated he understood his rights and was willing to answer questions without a lawyer present, according to a report.
The man then admitted to punching the woman after she slapped him in the face, police reported.
A male witness was present during the incident with the man and woman, according to the report.
The witness stated that he observed the man punch the woman in the face, police reported.
The man was positively identified as being involved in the altercation during separate one-on-one identifications by two restaurant employees, according to a report.
He was transported to the Tempe City Jail, police reported.
