Lewes– The Delaware State Police arrested 33-year-old AUSTIN J. BALKE for aggravated menacing and related charges following a domestic incident.

On July 6, 2020, at approximately 6:55 p.m., Troopers were dispatched to the unit block of Gainsborough Drive, Lewes, for a report of a physical domestic.  Further investigation revealed that Austin Balke had engaged in an argument earlier in the morning with his 32-year-old girlfriend after her father had left for work.  Balke proceeded to physically assault the victim and took her cell phone to hinder her from calling 911.  Throughout the day, Balke continued to physically assault the victim while trapping her in her bedroom.  He broke a glass bottle and threatened to kill her.  Balke also strangled the victim and ripped her hearing aid out.  When the victim’s father returned home from work, he saw that his daughter had been assaulted.  As the father was in the process of leaving the residence with his daughter, Balke threatened to harm him numerous times.  The victim and her father were subsequently able to leave the residence without further incident.

Balke was taken into custody at the residence and was found in possession of drug paraphernalia.  He was transported back to Troop 7 where he was charged with the following:

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
• Strangulation (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Unlawful Imprisonment Second Degree
• Terroristic Threatening
•  Assault Third Degree
• Criminal Mischief (2 counts)
•  Malicious Interference Emergency Communications
•  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Balke was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $37550.00 cash only bond.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 070720 1008

-End-

Print This Page