POTTSVILLE — Pottsville Police are searching for a 44-year-old Allentown man wanted in connection with a violent early-morning incident that occurred on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at a residence in the city.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Rashid S. Baker, born June 23, 1981, of Allentown. A warrant has been issued for Baker following an investigation into an alleged assault and home invasion on West Arch Street.
According to court documents, officers were dispatched around 9:40 a.m. on January 8 to a home at 1101 West Arch Street for a reported assault. Police made contact with the victim, Theresa Chadwick, who reported she had been attacked inside her residence earlier that morning.
Chadwick told officers she was asleep when Baker, a former boyfriend, appeared in her bedroom around 6:30 a.m. She said the relationship had ended nearly a year earlier and that Baker did not have permission to be inside her home. She further told police that Baker had entered her residence uninvited in the past and believes he may have slipped the lock or made a key.
When she told him to leave and threatened to call police, Chadwick said Baker grabbed her phone and went downstairs. When she followed him to retrieve it and again demanded that he leave, Baker allegedly pulled her to the floor by her hair and began choking her with both hands.
According to the affidavit, Baker then allegedly grabbed a pillow from the couch and attempted to smother her before fleeing the residence.
Police reported that Chadwick had visible finger-mark impressions on both sides of her neck, which were photographed as evidence. She also reported damage to an interior wall and that Baker stole her phone before leaving.
Housing security video reviewed by officers reportedly showed Baker in the area around 6:22 a.m., entering the rear of the property at 6:29 a.m., and a light turning on inside at 6:30 a.m. He was later seen fleeing the residence. A search of the surrounding area did not locate him.
As a result of the investigation, Baker is wanted on the following charges:
- Strangulation (F1)
- Aggravated Assault (F1)
- Simple Assault (M1)
- Burglary – Overnight Accommodations, Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime (F1)
- Criminal Trespass (F3)
- Theft by Unlawful Taking (M3)
- Criminal Mischief (M3)