Racine man accused of choking co-worker at bakery

RACINE (WITI) -- A Racine man has been charged in a case in which he is accused of choking a fellow employee at a Racine bakery.

Taurean Johnson-Puttman faces one count of strangulation and suffocation for an incident that occurred on Tuesday, July 2nd.

A criminal complaint in the case says Johnson-Puttman and another man were working at O and H Bakery Tuesday, when the employee told officials Johnson-Puttman moved a piece of dough from this man's work station. That man says when Johnson-Puttman refused to return the dough, an argument ensued.

The complaint says the man told officials another employee stepped in, and Johnson-Puttman fled from the bakery on foot.

When interviewed by officials after he returned to the bakery, the criminal complaint indicates Johnson-Puttman told them the employee struck him first, and he choked the man out of self-defense.

At that time, Johnson-Puttman was taken into custody.