Sedona AZ (August 19, 2014) – On Saturday, August 16, 2014, the Flagstaff Arizona Police and Coconino County Sheriff’s 911 Dispatch center received a cell phone call from a motorist, driving in the area of Old East Route 66 by the Market Place retail outlets, after being waved down by a woman saying she had just been physically and sexually assaulted. The 35-year-old female victim declined medical examination and treatment at the scene, and was transported to the CCSO to meet further with investigators.

Thus far, the investigation determined that the victim had been in downtown Flagstaff on Friday evening when she was contacted by her ex-boyfriend, a 45-year-old Flagstaff man. According to the victim, the ex-boyfriend drove alongside her, ordered her into his car, and she complied. During the victim’s contact with the suspect, at times, he brandished a handgun.

Initially, the suspect drove the victim to the Buffalo Park area where she exited the vehicle and attempted to flee. However, the ex-boyfriend was able to prevent the victim’s escape by physically assaulting her. He bound her hands and attempted to choke her, before tying a rope around her neck and threatening her life. Forcing her back into the vehicle, the suspect drove the victim to an area in East Flagstaff, off Old East Route 66, where he physically and sexually assaulted her.

According to the victim, at one point while still inside the vehicle, the suspect fell asleep, which allowed the victim an opportunity to escape. She ran to the location where she flagged down the passing motorist.

Following her interview with CCSO investigators, the victim was transported to the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault, and a bulletin was issued to locate the suspect and his vehicle. Alert Flagstaff Police officers found and arrested the suspect for one count of Kidnapping per Domestic Violence, one Count of Sexual Assault per Domestic Violence, one count of Aggravated Assault per Domestic Violence, and one count of Weapons Misconduct by a Prohibited Possessor.

Due to the previous relationship between the suspect and the victim, the suspect’s name is not being released, in an attempt to protect the victim’s identity.

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