Teenage suspect charged with armed robbery, choking at La Crosse residence

A 17-year-old from Onalaska is facing four felony charges after an apparent drug deal reportedly turned into a robbery and a physical attack in a La Crosse house.

Efraim Ko is charged with armed robbery, strangulation, reckless endangerment, and substantial battery after an incident May 12th at a house on Avon Street.

Police say Ko became violent when he tried robbing a male resident at gunpoint, kicking that victim in the head while he was lying on the floor, and attempted to choke him.

Ko also is accused of threatening that victim and his girlfriend with the gun, firing the weapon. No one was injured, and when the victims fought back, Ko reportedly took items from the house and fled.

Police learned that Ko and an uncle later traveled to Indiana and Georgia. They were able to contact Ko, and he turned himself in when he returned to La Crosse. A preliminary hearing is set for May 26.