Bystanders allegedly helped to restrain a man who assaulted a woman at Menards Friday in St. Joseph.

Benjamin Lee, 34 of St. Joseph, is charged in Buchanan County with a felony of first-degree assault.

According to court documents, Lee attempted to strangle a woman without provocation while inside the home improvement store. He allegedly brought her to the ground and put her head between his legs and pulled upward on her chin.

“The defendant then grabbed the victim by the inside of her mouth and began dragging her” said Det. Chase Cotter, with the St. Joseph Police Department. “The victim stated she was not from this area and did not know who the defendant was.”

Cotter said the victim thought Lee was attempting to break her neck during the assault.  She had visible bruising and marks on her neck and inside her mouth.

Multiple citizens reportedly subdued Lee until officers arrived. According to court filings, Lee has four prior felony convictions for distribution/deliver/manufacture of a controlled substance and one prior conviction for DWI.

Lee is held on a $25,000 bail and is due in court Tuesday morning for an arraignment.