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Westfield, N.J. Man Accused Of Kidnapping, Stabbing, Assaulting Woman At Repair Shop

ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A woman who stopped by a Roselle auto shop to see about a car repair was allegedly held against her will and assaulted for several hours before being rescued by police.

Ricky Suepoi, 52, of Westfield has been charged with kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, aggravated assault and other offenses.

Roselle police and the Union County prosecutor's office say the 23-year-old woman came to Shelbourne Motorsports Tuesday night at about 8 p.m. to ask about a repair and saw Suepoi, whom she knew previously.

At around 11 p.m. Suepoi allegedly struck her several times and brandished what appeared to be a firearm and demanded she perform a sexual act, prosecutors said.

Over the next several hours he allegedly tried to sexually assault the woman. She eventually called police on her cell phone from the shop's bathroom.

Suepoi forced his way into the bathroom as she was on the phone and stabbed her with a screwdriver, prosecutors said.

Officers responding to the victim's call arrived in time to hear her screaming from inside the garage, according to prosecutors.

The victim was taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth.

Officers searching the garage found an imitation firearm along with ecstasy and marijuana, prosecutors said.

Suepoi was being held on $500,000 bail Thursday. If convicted of the most serious charges, he could face up 20 years in prison.

Anyone with any additional information on the case is asked to contact Roselle Police at 908-245-9200.

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