Pasadena police arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder early Monday, Sept. 28, after he allegedly strangled and held his girlfriend underwater before fleeing in her vehicle.

The suspect was booked into custody after officers stopped him driving the victim's car near the 300 block of Avocado Lane, where the assault allegedly took place. The arrest was first reported by Pasadena Now.

Pasadena Police Lt. Anthony Russo told Pasadena Now that officers responded to the block at 1:56 a.m. after a woman called to report that her roommate had assaulted her and taken her vehicle. When officers arrived, they learned the caller's attacker was actually her boyfriend, not a roommate as initially reported.

The victim, a 33-year-old Pasadena woman, had bruising and redness on her neck consistent with strangulation, according to Russo. She also had water in her lungs after being held underwater "for a substantial amount of time," Russo said.

Pasadena Fire Department paramedics treated the woman at the scene. She was not taken to a hospital.

The suspect was found nearby, driving the victim's vehicle. Officers pulled him over and arrested him without incident.

"The weapon used in the assault was the suspect's hands," Russo said.

The suspect was booked on suspicion of attempted murder. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has not announced formal charges, and no arraignment date has been made public. The case is pending review by prosecutors.

The Pasadena Police Department classified the incident as a domestic violence case.

Anyone with information can call Pasadena police at (626) 744-4241 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, the P3 Tips mobile app or lacrimestoppers.org. Victims of domestic violence can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.