A Polk County middle school teacher was arrested for forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend's house and attacking her new boyfriend, according to the sheriff's office. A woman told investigators that on Saturday, Thomas Griffin, a 51-year-old teacher at McLaughlin Middle School, showed up at her Lake Wales house, started banging on the door and demanded to know where her boyfriend was. The boyfriend attempted to speak to Griffin, who reportedly forced his way into the home. The man said Griffin grabbed him by the throat, cutting off his ability to breathe and pinned him against the wall, according to the sheriff's office. Griffin is also accused of hitting the man in the face multiple times with a closed fist, causing him to bleed and knocking out one of his teeth. The man was transported to the hospital and treated for his injuries. Griffin reportedly fled the scene after the attack but was later located and arrested on Tuesday. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/crime/thomas-griffin-mclaughlin-middle-school-teacher-arrest-battery/67-886353ea-cdcf-4079-9ac6-0bbdf2f8ec40