Police have arrested a suspect in connection with Tuesday's kidnapping and assault of 19-year-old South Salt Lake woman, after television news reports of the attack prompted several telephone tips as to the suspect's whereabouts.
Thomas Washington, 34, of South Salt Lake, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and kidnapping, said South Salt Lake Police Capt. Beau Babka.Washington allegedly entered the woman's apartment at No. 14 W. Stratford Ave. (2600 South) at 1 a.m. Tuesday morning and began to beat her with his fist, a belt, and the cord of a curling iron.
He allegedly would not let her leave the apartment and tore down the door when she locked him out at one point, said Babka.
Five hours after the attack began, the woman was able to leave the apartment when Washington was in the bathroom. Babka said she sustained lacerations, bruises and welts from the attack.
"We're happy people stepped forward to help us solve this so quickly," said Babka. "It just shows the power of the people (in locating suspects)," he added.