Sep 16, 2013 2 min read

An Amwell Township man was arrested early Sunday on charges he assaulted his 21-year-old girlfriend as they drove in a vehicle after leaving a bar and again after they arrived home.

Paul James Yurinko, 31, of 366 Hackney Station Road, is accused of assaulting Karli Kiskadden, state police said.

The two had been at Shenanigan’s, 921 Amity Ridge Road, Amwell, when they reportedly got into an argument and were asked to leave by the bartender. They both left and got into the vehicle.

Police said Yurinko became upset and started hitting Kiskadden in the face. He also allegedly grabbed her by the hair and slammed her face into the dashboard.

As they drove, Kiskadden reportedly tried to get out of the moving vehicle, but Yurinko held her by the hair and would not let her out, police said.

When the couple arrived home, Yurinko allegedly pulled her out of the vehicle by her hair and threw her onto the ground, where he kicked her in the chest and side. He then reportedly grabbed her and dragged her into the house.

Kiskadden was able to get away and hide in the bathroom, but police said Yurinko was able to get into the bathroom, where he reportedly continued to hit Kiskadden and threatened her with a hammer and crowbar. Police said he also held a small knife to her throat and threatened to kill her.

Kiskadden told police that Yurinko told her he was going to wait until she fell asleep so he could pour lighter fluid on her face and set her on fire. He also reportedly told her that if he could not have her, then no one else could, police said.

But Yurinko fell asleep, and Kiskadden fled to her parents’ house, police said.

Yurinko was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, simple assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and driving under suspension. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 26 before District Judge Ethan Ward.