Woman, 40, was held captive for 2 days by abusive boyfriend, Olympia police say

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes, including unlawful imprisonment, after his girlfriend says he held her captive for two days, Olympia police say.

The 40-year-old woman finally was able to call for help about 10:45 a.m. Oct. 20, said police Lt. Paul Lower.

The trouble began with an argument about their relationship on Oct. 18 at a home in the 1900 block of Burbank Avenue Northwest in west Olympia, according to police.

The argument escalated until the man allegedly assaulted her, picked her up, locked her in a bedroom and took her phone away, Lower said.

The woman told police she screamed as loud as she could but could not be heard.

Lower said that the woman said that at times she was able to talk her way out of the bedroom, but then she would be assaulted and confined again in the room.

To her surprise, though, the man agreed to take her to a pre-existing appointment. While he waited in a car, she went inside the business and was able to call police.

The police found the woman with bruises and other injuries, Lower said.

The man was booked on suspicion of second-degree assault, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment, and felony harassment/threats to kill, Lower said.

This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 10:27 AM.