No Laughing Matter

A Centreville man is in jail today in lieu of $50,000 bond because, officers say, of what he did when his girlfriend laughed at something another man said.

According to the Queen Anne’s County sheriff’s office, Bridgett Hilligoss of Snow Hill, Md., and her boyfriend, Robert Edward Farrell, 42, were at a residence in Centreville with another man, John Torres.

When Hilligoss and Torres began to have a conversation and started to laugh, says the investigator’s report, “Farrell became angry, began to punch and choke her, then threw her into the bed of his truck, dumped gasoline on her and locked the door to the cab so she could not get out,”

Farrell then assaulted Torres, the investigator reported, “causing a large cut to his head.” The officer said Ferrell then drove Hilligoss to the Xtra Mart in Chester, Md., where she kicked open the door of the truck and ran inside for help.

“While inside, the suspect then assaulted the Victim Hilligoss until Deputy Richard arrived,” the report continued.

“While Deputy Richard was speaking with the victim, the suspect got into his vehicle and attempted to leave and striking Deputy Rickard’s patrol vehicle, putting a small dent in the front fender.”

Farrell was arrested and charged with assault, malicious destruction of property,  false imprisonment and kidnapping.