Man arrested in choking incident at Victor Steinbrueck Park

SEATTLE — A man was choked until he lost consciousness Sunday during an argument about money at Seattle’s Victor Steinbrueck Park.

Police said that shortly after noon, the two men, who knew each other and  had done some hitchhiking together, were sitting on a park bench.

One man told the other that he wanted money from him and that they should then part ways.

When the victim questioned giving the other man money, the man started choking the victim until he was unconscious and then took $39 from him, police said.

The victim was unconscious for about two minutes.

Witnesses who were eating at a restaurant adjacent to the park told police what happened.

Bicycle officers were called to the area and found the attacker who was still in the park. He was arrested after he was identified by the victim and witnesses.

He was booked into King County Jail on assault charges.

KIRO