Police: Girlfriend Beat, Confined Trying To Leave Apartment

Joseph Balser (Imaged Provided)
Joseph Balser (Imaged Provided)

GREENSBURG – A 26-year-old man is out on bond after investigators say he beat and confined his girlfriend in a Greensburg apartment.

The alleged incident took place Thursday and led to the arrest of Joseph W. Balser, of Greensburg. He was booked into the Decatur County Jail on suspicion of domestic battery and criminal confinement.

The victim told police Balser got upset after expressing she would leave to stay with her cousin. As she walked toward the door he attempted to grab her phone, according to the Greensburg Daily News.

Court documents show he threw her into a wall and attempted to push her into a closet. Authorities say he threw her on the ground and cornered her in the bathroom while she screamed for help.

Investigators estimate Balser threw her to the ground upwards of ten times and say they saw blood in the bathroom sink and the victim had bruises.

Police say Balser denies the allegations saying the couple had been arguing and he tried to look at his girlfriend’s phone while the couple was “wrestling.”

He told police the bruises may have been caused from lifting her off the ground when she was intoxicated the night before.