OHIO TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been arrested and charged with assault.
Ohio Township police said they were called to the home of Harrison's girlfriend Saturday afternoon.
Beth Tibbott told police she had an argument with Harrison and locked herself in a bedroom at her Sonie Drive residence.
Tibbott said she was attempting to call 911 when Harrison broke through a door, took her cell phone and broke it in half.
Tibbott said Harrison then slapped her in the face, knocking off her glasses.
Police said they stopped Harrison on the way to his home and he admitted to breaking through the door and slapping the woman.
He was charged with assault and taken to the Allegheny County Jail.
Harrison and his agents are not commenting on the charges.
Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said the team is gathering information on the charges, but consider the matter a personal concern of Harrison's.
Harrison is the fifth Steeler to face charges in the past 22 months.
Wide receiver Santonio Holmes was also charged in a domestic violence matter in 2006. Running back Najeh Davenport was charged in October in a domestic violence incident.
Offensive lineman Barrett Brooks was charged in 2006 for fleeing police and reckless driving while operating a motorcycle. And former Steelers linebacker Richard Siegler was arrested last year for running a Las Vegas prostitution ring.
In each instance, team officials refused to comment publicly about their players.
Women's groups in Pittsburgh want the Steelers to speak up about the charges. The Women's Center and Shelter said it is feeling the sting of the alleged offense on behalf of battered women in the region.
The agency said Harrison's episode sadly underscores an epidemic of domestic violence.
"I really hope that they really handle it for the crime that it really is," said Shirl Regan of the Women's Center.
Harrison was released on a non-monetary bond.
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