Plainfield Man Accused of Choking Wife: Police

A man who came home intoxicated allegedly choked his wife during an argument, police said.

William Burke, 33, is charged with aggravated domestic battery, a felony, and possession of a controlled substance.

Police said they responded to Burke's home in the 24000 block of Sleepy Hollow Lane after receiving a call regarding a domestic battery incident around 1:07 a.m. Jan. 20.

Sgt. Mike Fisher said Burke had been out drinking earlier in the night. After he arrived home, his wife noticed his vehicle had been in the driveway for about 15 minutes, but he had not come inside, police said. She went outside to tell him to come in, and Burke reportedly argued, saying he was going to sleep in his truck.

After several more attempts, the wife was able to convince Burke to come in out of the cold, and he went to bed, Fisher said. But after his wife discovered a receipt for a nightclub in the pocket of the pants he had been wearing, an argument ensued, police said.

Police accuse Burke of choking his wife and pulling her hair during the incident. "She did strike him a few times to get herself loose," Fisher said.

When officers arrived, Burke answered the door, and officers could see broken furniture inside the house, Fisher said.

Burke was arrested and charged with aggravated domestic battery. Police also discovered about a dozen Xanax and hydrocodone pills on Burke, according to Fisher. Burke reportedly did not have a prescription for the drugs.

About this column: Police report information is provided by local police departments. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.