Crime & Safety

Police: Drunk SC Man Abducted, Beat Ex-Girlfriend for 2 Hours in Arlington

Attacks began while woman was driving, according to Arlington police.

A 24-year-old South Carolina man was handed a string of charges this weekend after police said he punched, kicked, grabbed and pulled the hair of his ex-girlfriend in Arlington for about two hours — while she was driving, in her garage and in her apartment.

At one point during the attacks, he also tried to kiss her, police said.

Ryan Keller, of Gaffney, S.C., was arrested and charged with abduction with intent to defile, felony strangulation, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, sexual battery, assault and battery and unlawfully obstructing messages to law enforcement. 

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Keller was drunk when he arrived at his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend's workplace in Washington to pick her up sometime after 3 a.m. Sunday, Arlington police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck told Patch on Tuesday.

The woman could tell Keller was intoxicated and was able to convince him to let her drive, Sternbeck said.

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Inside the vehicle, an argument escalated to the point where Keller began to punch his ex with a closed fist and pull her hair while she was driving, according to police. He also began throwing items throughout the car and punching the dashboard.

While on Route 50, Keller put the car in park and took the keys, Sternbeck said. The woman tried to call 911, at which point Keller took her phone and threw it, according to police. When she tried to get out of the vehicle, Keller pulled a gun on her and forced her into the back seat, Sternbeck said.

Inside the garage of the woman's apartment complex, Keller "continuously" assaulted her, punching her, putting his hands around her throat, trying to kiss her and grabbing her about her body, Sternbeck said. The apartment building is in the 1400 block of North Taft Street.

They arrived inside the woman's apartment and the attacks continued for about 30 more minutes.

Around 5:45 a.m., the woman was able to escape her apartment and seek help from a neighbor. Police arrived and took Keller into custody.

He was held without bond.


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