TAYLOR - A borough man attacked his girlfriend and ripped $10 out of her hand early Wednesday after she refused to hand over the money for their child's formula so that he could buy marijuana, police said.
When questioned, Jeremy Lamberti, 22, of 505 S. Main St., Taylor, initially told officers he intended to use the money to buy soda and cigarettes but recanted that story after allowing them to view his phone's text messages, some of which he sent to arrange to buy pot, police said.
Mr. Lamberti's girlfriend, Amber Walsh, said he grabbed her by the hair, knocked her to the ground and stole the money from her. Mr. Lamberti denied hitting her but did corroborate Ms. Walsh's report that the dispute ended after she bit his hand, police said.
Mr. Lamberti was charged with simple assault, harassment, theft, receiving stolen property and unsworn falsification to authorities.
He was sent to the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday.
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