Utah man threw girlfriend down flight of stairs, police say

PROVO — Police arrested a Provo man who they say picked up his girlfriend by her neck and threw her down a flight of stairs, then threatened her not to call police.

In addition, Luke John Battiloro, 37, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Monday for investigation of attempted murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping and criminal mischief.

Battiloro got into an argument with his live-in girlfriend, grabbed her by her arms and threw her against a bedroom wall, according to a police affidavit.

"This caused two large holes in the Sheetrock. The victim stated she crumbled to the ground and tried to get up. When she was able to stand, the victim stated the suspect … grabbed her from behind and placed his hands around her neck," the affidavit states.

"The suspect tightened his grip on her neck while physically lifting her off the ground. The suspect … then walked with the victim off the ground, to the stairs that go down to the basement. The suspect … then threw the victim down the stairs."

The woman said she lost consciousness. When she came to, she asked Battiloro to call an ambulance but he refused, according to the report.

About 4 a.m., after they had gone to bed, the woman sent pictures of her injuries to her mother. When officers arrived at Battiloro's residence, no one would answer the door, the affidavit states, even though they could see a child in the kitchen.

"It was later found that the (child) … was told not to answer the door by her father, the suspect," the report states.

When police entered, they removed the children from the house and continued looking for Battiloro and the woman. They found her in the basement.

"The victim sustained deep bruising on multiple parts of her body. She also has a concussion and deep bruising on her neck from being choked," police wrote.

According to court records, Battiloro was convicted of fleeing from police, reckless driving and speeding 160 mph in an 80 mph zone in 2017. In 2015, he was convicted of two counts of attempted possession of a firearm by a restricted person.

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