A Traverse City man who was out on parole for domestic violence was arrested this week after ramming his car into his ex-girlfriend's vehicle on the road while three small children were inside her car.

Benzie County Central Dispatch broadcast an assault in progress on Monday evening. Twenty-four-year-old Rafael Diego Rocha from Traverse City was on parole for domestic violence third offense and was reportedly ramming his car into his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle as they were driving down the road. The victim’s vehicle was occupied by three small children.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Traverse City Post responded to the location, at which point the suspect drove off into hiding. Troopers broadcasted a multi-county BOL for Rocha and coordinated with local law enforcement units to intercept him. Troopers asked the victim to call Rocha and request he meet her at a local gas station. They then spotted the suspect driving toward the gas station.

Troopers and deputies from the Grand Traverse County and Benzie County Sheriff’s Offices stopped the vehicle and arrested Rocha. He was lodged in the Grand Traverse County Jail. Rocha was arraigned Thursday in 86th District Court in Grand Traverse County on four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and habitual offender third offense. He remains lodged in the Grand Traverse County Jail on a $100,000 bond.