PROVO — Police arrested an intoxicated man who they say punched a woman, threw her down and dragged her around the room by her hair.

The man, who was staying at a friend's house in Provo, had been drinking when he began arguing with a woman he invited to the home Monday night, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.

The woman became uncomfortable and tried to use a phone to call 911 or to get a ride home but the man kept slapping the phone out of her hands, police said. The 42-year-old man also threw the homeowner to the ground when he tried to give the woman a phone.

Police said the homeowner was also intoxicated and had several injured ribs so he couldn't defend himself.

When the woman tried to help the intoxicated homeowner up, the man grabbed her and began throwing her around the room while he repeatedly punching the back of the head, her back and legs, according to the affidavit.

Amid the punching, police say he dragged the woman by her hair and slammed her face into a solid metal slot machine.

The home owner tried to intervene, but was again thrown down to the ground, police said.

The woman was finally able to escape and asked a neighbor to call 911, police said. When the man exited the home, he also confronted a neighbor and raised a hand as if to strike her, police said. He then ran away, according to the affidavit.

Witnesses said the man had blood on his hands and a clump of blond hair in his hands, according to the affidavit.

Police located the man nearby and arrested him for investigation of aggravated assault, assault, criminal mischief, interrupting a communication device and public intoxication. His bail was set at $10,000 cash-only.

— Sara Israelsen-Hartley