Several charges are being recommended against a 52-year-old man after a Cowichan Valley woman was beaten and held against her will, RCMP say.
Police were called at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday to the Herd Road area in North Cowichan and found a woman in need of immediate medical attention for serious facial injuries.
A contractor, who only wanted to be identified as John, says he was working at a house when he was approached by someone who he at first thought was wearing a mask.
“She looked scared and her face was all smashed up … I couldn’t see her eyes, her forehead was all smashed … she had a set of handcuffs on,” he said.
According to the man, the woman told him she had escaped from being held captive in a house for three days.
He says he put the woman in his work van, called 911 and met police along Lakes Road in Duncan.
With the help of the Emergency Response Team a 52-year-old man was arrested around 6 p.m. on Wednesday and remains in police custody.
He was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Police are recommending a number of charges against the man, including forcible confinement and aggravated assault.
Mounties say the two know each other and the public is not at risk.
“This is extremely serious, when anybody is held against their will the intent on the accused is something that we really want to uncover so that we can better serve the public,” said. Cst. Krista Hobday.
Investigators were back at the scene Thursday morning searching for evidence.
Documents show the home, where neighbours say the woman escaped from, belongs to Kehar Garry Sangha.
RCMP would not confirm those details with CTV News.
Officials say the woman has been treated for her injuries and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
