ROME — A 52-year-old man is accused of choking his girlfriend and trying to smother her with a pillow, according to the Rome Police Department.

Police said David C. Withrow, of Rome, climbed on top of his girlfriend while she was lying down and started choking her, then covered her face with a pillow, at about 2:45 a.m. Saturday at a residence on North Washington Street. Police said the girlfriend fought back, and she called 911 when he got off her.

Withrow then pushed her down onto a couch in another room and again covered her face with a pillow, while threatening to kill her, police stated.

Withrow is charged with one count each of second-degree harassment, second-degree imprisonment and criminal obstruction of breathing, police stated. He is scheduled to appear in Rome City Court.