Man was arrested after chasing a woman to get her to talk to him

BEDFORD –  A Bedford man was arrested on Thursday after Bedford Police officers were summoned to Industrial Park Apartments at 3:46 p.m. following a report of a battery.

James Banks

When police arrived, they spoke to a female who told police that she had left an apartment and saw 22-year-old James Banks sitting in the hallway near where she resides.

She told police she altered her walking path, so she would not have to pass Banks to get to her apartment, but Banks followed her up the stairs, speeding up to catch her.

As she was walking down the stairs, Banks grabbed the hood of her jacket, pulling her back into his grasp and knocking the wind out of her.

The woman said Banks wrapped his forearm around her upper torso and would not release her. She then pushed him away and continued down the stairs into her apartment. 

The woman signed a battery affidavit.

Banks had left the apartment complex before the police arrived. 

At approximately 8:50 p.m. officers returned to the apartment building where Banks also lived and arrested him on charges of domestic battery resulting in injury and strangulation.

Banks admitted to following the woman, but he denied placing his hands on her. Police said he later admitted to grabbing her hood in an effort to get her attention.

He denied placing his arms around her.