UPDATE: The Niagara County District Attorney's Office announced that an indictment was unsealed in Niagara County Court on Friday charging 38-year-old Barinder Singh with first-degree assault. He was picked up on an indictment warrant on Thursday afternoon in Niagara Falls and arraigned in county court late Friday morning. The judge set bail at $100,000 cash; $200,000 bail bond.
You can watch our updated report below.
ORIGINAL: A Niagara Falls man is facing charges after he allegedly assaulted a woman Sunday following a dispute.
Police responded to a call about 1:45 a.m. Sunday in the area of 7th and Niagara Street. That's where they found a 48-year-old woman who had been treated for burns to her head, arms and body. She was eventually taken to ECMC where police say she is now in critical condition.
On Monday, 38-year-old Barinder Singh was brought to the police station where he was interviewed and charged with assault.
According to the Niagara Gazette, the incident reportedly began as a dispute between Singh, who was working in a food truck in the area, and the woman.
According to a police report, Singh is believed to be the owner of the Indian Fusion food truck.
Witnesses told officers that there was an argument before the woman was burned. One worker said he looked around and saw what he first thought was a garbage tote on fire and then realized it was a woman.
Police said in the report that they got permission from Singh to search his phone and found surveillance camera footage from before and after the incident. They said one video showed the woman on the ground and Singh saying "I'll (expletive) kill you" and "Don't (expletive) steal from me."
Singh was taken to the police station and held until his arraignment Tuesday in Niagara Falls City Court. The judge issued an order of protection for the victim and released Singh without bail.
The woman was at Erie County Medical Center's burn unit for treatment of third-degree burns. According to the police report, the woman had to be intubated from burns sustained to her throat which caused her to be unable to speak.
Detectives are still investigating this incident and asking anyone with information to call the Criminal Investigation Division at (716) 286-4553 or the general information line at (716) 286-4711.
