LAS CRUCES — Las Cruces Police arrested a man suspected of physically assaulting his girlfriend late Friday evening.

They said at around 10:30 p.m. Friday, they responded to a call where a woman claimed  she was physically assaulted by 48-year-old Mark Mermis, her boyfriend.

Detectives said that an argument between the couple escalated to the woman being held against her will and forcefully pushing her against a wall. Upon escaping,  Mermis followed in his vehicle and nearly struck her as she attempted to run away, according to the police report.

Police said the woman flagged down a passing motorist who drove her to a nearby business where she called for help.

Officers located Mermis at his residence and arrested him. He faces battery charges against a household member, false imprisonment and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $15,000.