ATWATER -- A 31-year-old man was arrested earlier this week after holding a woman hostage in his apartment for more than two days and raping her repeatedly, police reported Thursday.
David Ray Tanner was arrested after the 19-year-old victim escaped Sunday.
Police said she was held inside her assailant's apartment starting Nov. 30. She told officers she had known her attacker for about a month before he physically restrained her, threatened her and forced her to have sex with him.
According to Lt. Sam Joseph, the victim was choked to the point of losing consciousness during one of the attacks. He said she was able to escape from the apartment Sunday and notify police.
A warrant for Tanner's arrest was issued, and he was arrested by Detectives David Brum and Adolfo Lomeli on Tuesday.
Tanner was booked at the Merced County Jail on four felony charges: suspicion of rape by force or fear, false imprisonment by violence, criminal threats and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or co-habitant.
Tanner is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail.
Reporter Ramona Giwargis can be reached at (209) 385-2477 or rgiwargis@mercedsunstar.com.
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