Miri: Police arrested a man suspected of punching and strangling his ex-girlfriend until she was injured here, yesterday.

Miri District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Hakemal Hawari said the 31-year-old suspect was arrested in Desa Pujut, Bandar Permyjaya here at 12.05pm, following a report from the 24-year-old victim.

He said, in her report, the victim claimed that the suspect stopped the car he was riding in with his female friend, on the side of the road towards the Jalan Dato Permaisuri intersection at 2.30am.

“The suspect then forced the victim into his car and he allegedly punched the victim while in the car, besides kicking her body and banging the victim’s head on the car door.

"In fact, the suspect was also accused of acting more violently and strangling the victim's neck," he said in a statement today.

Hakemal said the frightened victim managed to escape and avoid being further punched and beaten.

“After that, the suspect allegedly took the woman’s handbag which contained an identity card, bank card, mobile phone, gold chain and cash.

"The victim was not sure of the suspect's motive for acting in such a way and during the arrest, all the victim's belongings were found at the suspect's house," he said.

According to him, the case is being investigated under Section 506 and Section 324 of the Penal Code.