SIMMESPORT, La. — A Simmesport man has been arrested after police said he allegedly choked an elderly woman and pepper-sprayed an elderly man during a domestic disturbance.

Ladarius Jontrel Hartford was arrested and booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail on the following charges:

• Aggravated battery

• Domestic abuse battery — strangulation

• Cruelty to persons with infirmities / older persons

According to the Simmesport Police Department, officers were called to the 100 block of Stemley Drive in reference to a reported domestic disturbance.

When officers arrived, they said they learned that an elderly woman had allegedly been choked and an elderly man had allegedly been pepper-sprayed.

Police said Hartford had fled the area before officers arrived.

Hartford was later arrested and booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail.

At the time of publication, authorities said Hartford was being held without bond.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.