MITCHELL — A Bedford man was arrested Sunday afternoon following an alleged physical altercation with a co-worker behind a Mitchell restaurant.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Phillip Emery of the Mitchell Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Arby’s restaurant located at 3159 State Road 37 at approximately 3:49 p.m. on October 18, 2026, following a report of a battery.
Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, who stated that a co-worker, identified as 34-year-old Nicholas E. Christopher of Bedford, had asked to speak with him outside. The victim reported that once outside, Christopher got close to his face, grabbed him by the neck, and pushed him into a wall. Responding officers observed distinct redness around the victim’s neck that was consistent with his account.
Officers then went inside the restaurant to speak with Christopher. Christopher initially told police that he and the victim had been involved in a verbal dispute, stating, “I didn’t hit him. I didn’t assault him or anything”.
After stepping outside with officers, Christopher remarked that he had belongings inside if they were going to “lock him up”. Following the administration of his Miranda warning, Christopher maintained that the altercation was strictly verbal, though he also remarked, “I will scrap with him if he wants to fight about it”.
After the victim completed a battery affidavit and a voluntary statement with the assistance of Officer G. Jacobs, law enforcement placed Christopher into handcuffs.
Christopher was taken into custody on-site without further incident and transported to the Lawrence County Jail. He is facing preliminary charges of strangulation, a Level 6 felony, and battery, a Class A misdemeanor.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
