Josh Auten
/ Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Colorado Springs Police officers arrested a man Wednesday morning in connection with the city's ninth reported strangling in a month.
Officers responded to the 1600 block of North Murray Boulevard around 3:08 a.m. where they found a 23-year-old woman who had been strangled by her 23-year-old husband, Josh Auten.
Auten was arrested for attempted second degree murder. The woman was taken to a hospital where she was treated and released.
This is the ninth reported strangling in the city in exactly a month.
The first reported case in the recent wave happened Nov. 16 when 44-year-old Jerry Strong strangled his girlfriend, whom he lived with, after an argument. The woman lost consciousness and called 911 when she woke up.
Strong was arrested on attempted second degree murder charges.
The next day, officers arrested 33-year-old Trevor Bartosik for punching and strangling his girlfriend, whom he also lived with, after an argument began while the two were drinking.
One day later, 22-year-old Jonathan Cason was arrested for strangling his 35-year-old girlfriend. Like Bartosik, officers said Cason punched her before strangling her. Cason is charged with second degree assault.
On Nov. 20, officers arrested 38-year-old Steven Gutierrez for strangling his 24-year-old wife. According to officers, Gutierrez punched her and strangled her one day after hitting her with a padlock attached to a bandana.
Three days later, James Murray assaulted and strangled his 27-year-old wife in front of four children. Murray faces attempted second degree murder, child abuse and third degree assault charges.
On Nov. 30, Charles Izriarry assaulted and strangled his girlfriend.
The first reported case in December happened Dec. 2 when Adam Gilmour was arrested for attempted second degree murder.
The most recent case prior to Tuesday's happened Sunday, when Jason Vigil strangled his wife while his stepdaughter watched.
All eight cases have been domestic, and all eight men have been arrested.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM