Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting, Tying Up Girlfriend Inside Apartment

A hostage situation in Philadelphia turned into a sexual assault investigation after a woman told police she was tied up and sexually assaulted by her on-again/off-again boyfriend in the Germantown section of the city.

Police were called to an apartment on the 100 block of West Queen Avenue Wednesday night for a report of a man holding a woman hostage.

When police arrived and knocked on the door, they say a 40-year-old man inside began to threaten them.

"A male refused to answer the door," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "He shouted at police, 'If you come through the door I'm going to shoot!'"

A SWAT team quickly arrived at the scene and a barricade was declared at 6:51 p.m. Police say the suspect then walked outside and surrendered to police at 6:57 p.m. He was taken into custody without incident.

When officers searched inside the apartment, they say they found a 27-year-old woman tied up and gagged inside the bathroom.

The woman told police that she was in a relationship with the suspect but attempted to break it off with him. The woman said the man then tied her up and sexually assaulted her several times. She was taken to the Einstein Medical Center and treated for bruises to her wrist. She is now at the Special Victims Unit and speaking with investigators.

Neighbors say the suspect and victim lived inside the apartment for nearly two years and were involved in several domestic disputes. Ted Smith, a friend of the suspect, told NBC10 he doubts the man would hurt anyone.

"She said he had her tied up," Smith said. "I don't believe that."

The woman's friend, Erica Lee, was the first person aside from police to see her being taken by stretcher out of the apartment.

"She looked bad to me," Lee said. "She looked beat up." 

The suspect faces sexual assault and kidnapping charges. Police are waiting to serve a search warrant inside the apartment. 

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