Dec 16, 2013 2 min read

A West Bethlehem Township man was arrested Sunday on charges he assaulted his girlfriend the previous day and threatened her with a pistol and knife.

Joel Thomas Quigley II, 24, of 8 Central Ave., is accused of assaulting Jessica M. Siyufy, 25, during the confrontation at their home.

The two reportedly got into an argument about 5 p.m. Saturday that turned physical, state police said. He allegedly grabbed her by the neck, threw to the ground and got on top of her. Siyufy told police that Quigley asked her why he should not kill her.

The two then sat up briefly and talked about her relationship with another man, police said. Quigley then allegedly spit in her face, and the two got into another physical confrontation.

Quigley then allegedly retrieved a pistol and held it at her left temple, asking again why he should not kill her, then allegedly attempted to put the gun in her mouth, police said.

He reportedly then got a small folding knife and told her that perhaps he should stab her. Siyufy told police that he then placed the gun against her throat before letting her go and putting the gun to his own head, telling her that maybe he should kill himself. She said Quigley left for work about 10 p.m. but returned about 1 a.m. and told her to leave the house.

Quigley was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on two counts of simple assault and one count each of reckless endangerment, terroristic threats and harassment. He was released from Washington County jail Sunday night after posting $5,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 27 before District Judge Curtis Thompson.