A Cocke County man was charged Sunday after a woman he was formerly involved with was seen running away from him at a Newport grocery store.

Newport Police has charged Juan Valdes, 26, with Domestic Assault, Kidnapping and Interference with Emergency 9-1-1 calls.

According to a report, Newport Police Officer Dallas Cotter was called to Food City in Western Plaza where a woman was seen running away from a man, identified as Valdes, in the roadway.

The complainant told police that she saw Valdes allegedly tackle a woman and bring her back to a truck parked between Tiny Tots and Newport Pawn Shop on the Old Knoxville Highway.

Lacrisha Gibson was being interviewed by another NPD officer when she told police that she and Valdes were arguing while driving on U.S. Highway 25/70 when Gibson alleged that Valdes hit her in the chest and sides.

When Gibson attempted to call 9-1-1, Valdes allegedly grabbed the phone from her hand and threw it out of the window while the car was in motion.

Once the truck stopped, Gibson was able to get out and attempted to run across the highway towards Food City. Before reaching people in the parking lot, Valdes hugged her and attempted to keep her from leaving before she was brought back to the truck.

Gibson said that she went back to the truck on her own will only to prevent the incident from further escalating. She told police that she was in fear for her safety.

Valdes told police that he didn’t throw her phone out of the truck, but had allegedly thrown his phone out. Valdez said that he didn’t cause any of the injuries that Gibson alleged, that she had caused the injuries herself. Valdes was found to be the primary aggressor and was taken into custody.

The phone was found in the median of the highway. Both had been in a previous relationship in which Valdes had previously been charged with Domestic Assault.