A man wanted in a Christmas Eve choking and a robbery in the downtown core has been arrested.

Toronto Police say the first incident happened around 5:25 p.m. on Dec. 24 in the Queen St. W. and University Ave. area.

They say a man approached a female on the street and “without provocation, the suspect assaulted the victim by choking her.”

Then, at 6:50 p.m., police allege the same suspect went to a Yonge and Wellesley Sts. business and “without provocation, he brandished a hammer and threatened an employee.”

The man “took multiple items without paying and fled the store.”

On Wednesday cops released the name and image of a suspect and say he was arrested Thursday.

Bryon Johnson, 36, is charged with assault/choking and robbery with a weapon.

He was to appear in Finch Ave. W. bail court on Friday morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).