PSP: Man arrested after strangling woman, assaulting trooper

ASYLUM TWP, Pa (WENY) -- A man was arrested in Bradford County after police say he showed up to a stranger's house pretending to be lost, strangled the stranger, and then assaulted a state trooper.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, they responded to a reported assault in Asylum Township on December 29th.  They say they identified 36-year-old Joseph Caporusso of Meshoppen after he showed up to a woman's house pretending to be lost, distracted the victim, and then strangled her until she was unconscious. 

He then carried/dragged the victim into her house to further assault her, but the victim was able to get away according to police. 

Police say Caporusso crashed his car while fleeing from the scene.  While police were investigating the crash, they say Caporusso ran from troopers before being caught.  He was taken to the PSP barracks in Towanda, where police say he kicked a trooper during processing.

Caporusso was taken to the Bradford County Correctional Facility on $600,000 total bail for assault on the woman and assault on police.  Troopers say additional charges are pending for DUI, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and alluding, and resisting arrest.