SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of locking an ex-girlfriend in a garage for several hours and beating her was arrested after the woman called 911, police said.
South Salt Lake police spokesman Gary Keller said Keith Trotter, 55, hit the woman several times, strangled her with a cable saw and threatened her with a handgun while she was in the garage.
It was only when Trotter temporarily left the garage that the woman was able to block the door and call 911, Keller said.
She placed the call on a cellphone around 11 p.m. Monday and was able to describe the residence at 255 W. 3680 South to the dispatcher.
Before the call ended, the last thing the dispatcher heard the woman say was, "Put the gun down," according to Keller.
Police said Trotter then forced his way back into the garage and assaulted the woman again.
When they arrived at the residence, officers heard voices coming from the garage and opened a side door, according to police. Keller said the woman ran out, and police found Trotter inside attempting to hide a cellphone and handgun in a chair cushion.
He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony, and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.
Trotter already had a warrant for his arrest stemming from drug and traffic charges from August.
According to Utah court records, Trotter has several felony convictions, mostly for drugs and assault charges. Most recently, in 2010, Trotter pled guilty to aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony.
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