Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge in Alleged Domestic Assault

A North Reading man faces an attempted murder charge after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend last week at her Melrose apartment.

After an argument with his girlfriend the evening of Monday, Jan. 16, Daniel Lavallee of 290 Park St. in North Reading left her Grove Street apartment, according to Lt. Mark DeCroteau. Melrose Police officers had responded to the apartment for the argument after receiving a report of a disturbance.

Then shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 17, Lavallee returned to the basement apartment, allegedly broke in and assaulted his girlfriend, DeCroteau said. The attempted murder charge stems from the 33-year-old man allegedly choking his girlfriend, DeCroteau added.

The victim's mother, who lives upstairs from her daughter's apartment, called police and Lavallee took his girlfriend's car and left before officers arrived, DeCroteau said. The victim was conscious and alert when officers arrived, taken to the hospital and released a short time later.

Shortly before noon the same day, Lavallee returned the car to Grove Street, the victim's mother told police, and walked to the Melrose Police station, where DeCroteau said he turned himself in.

Lavallee also faces charges of assault and battery; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; breaking and entering into a building during the nighttime for a felony; malicious destruction of property worth more than $250; larceny of a motor vehicle; larceny from a person; and intimidating a witness.