Terrified wife assaulted by husband

VANDALIA, Ohio (WDTN) - A Vandalia man was taken to jail, after authorities said he assaulted his wife with his pick up truck.

Vandalia police rushed to the Timberlake apartments after a woman called them, terrified, and screaming for help.

The victim told authorities, her 30-year old husband, James Ward, was chasing her in a fit of rage. It all started just after 2 am on Friday morning.

"She said that her ex-husband surprised her as she was coming home to her apartment, and started chasing her with his pick up truck," said Detective Sgt. David Steinbrunner, with the Vandalia police department.

Investigators said the couple was in the middle of a divorce. The victim said Ward rammed her Chevy Trailblazer several times with his truck, then punched out the windows of her car. She tried to flee, and he pursused her in his truck. The victim said she thought her husband may have been armed with a gun or knife. Authorities said the the motive for Ward's anger, was still unclear.

"They're going through a divorce at this time, but we really don't know until we interview the suspect and do some more investigation," said Detective Sgt. Steinbrunner.

Police arrested James Ward a few miles away on Stonequarry road. Authorities said he was taken to jail for assault, but they planned to meet with prosecuters before farther charges were filed.