Lincoln man caused life-threatening injuries in brutal beating of woman, police say

LINCON, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln man is accused of beating a woman in her apartment earlier this month, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

Richard Thomas, 34, was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court Thursday on charges of first-degree assault and assault by strangulation.

A judge set his bond at $150,000, meaning he would need to pay $15,000 to be released.

On Jan. 8, court documents allege that Thomas went to an apartment near 27th and Randolph streets and asked the woman who lived there for cigarettes.

The woman had a restraining order against Thomas, so she told him to leave.

But an arrest affidavit says he came into the apartment, got upset and started assaulting her.

Thomas got on top of the woman and tried to strangle her, according to the Lincoln Police Department.

He then punched her five to six times in the ribcage, police said. The victim told officers that Thomas swung his fist back as far as he could each time.

The affidavit says he then pulled her across the bedroom floor.

LPD said that’s when a neighbor loudly knocked on the door in an attempt to make Thomas think the police were there.

Thomas told the woman to be quiet and then fled, police said.

Four days later, Lincoln Fire & Rescue went to the apartment after the victim reported having “excruciating pain” in her ribs, according to the affidavit.

She was taken to a hospital, and it turned out that she had life-threatening injuries from the assault, including a hematoma and cut on her spleen.

The woman underwent emergency for internal bleeding, the affidavit says.

Police said that she is recovering but that she will have lasting effects from the injuries.

A judge issued a warrant for Thomas’ arrest on Jan. 17.

He is due back in court on March 13.