Ohio Women Were Held With Ropes And Chains, Police Say

Cleveland’s police chief has said the three women held captive in an Ohio house for about a decade were restrained with ropes and chains.

Chief Michael McGrath told US broadcaster NBC that investigators believe the victims were allowed out in the backyard occasionally.

He added Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were in good condition “considering the circumstances”.

Chief McGrath said a charging decision would come later on Wednesday.

Former school bus driver Ariel Castro, 52, who owns the house where the women were found, has been arrested along with his two brothers, Pedro, 54, and Onil Castro, 50.

Mr McGrath said: “Currently, today, we are interviewing the suspects that were arrested here the night before last. They are talking.”

The police chief also disputed claims by neighbours that police did not fully investigate reports of suspicious incidents at the property on Seymour Avenue, in a working-class district.

He said he was “absolutely” sure police did not miss any opportunities to find the women over the years.

Neighbours have told news organisations they had made multiple calls to police about the house to report women crying for help or pounding on doors.

Monday evening’s rescue unfolded with a frenzied call to the emergency services by Ms Berry, now 27.

She escaped with the help of a neighbour who heard her screaming while her alleged captor was out of the house.

When police arrived they found the two other women in the house.

Ariel Castro reportedly fled the neighbourhood, and was arrested at a nearby McDonald’s restaurant, according to local media. It is unclear when Castro’s brothers were detained.

A judge granted police an extra 12 hours from arrest to file charges against the three men. Officials now have until Wednesday evening local time to do so.

BBC

Posted by Editor on May 8, 2013. Filed under WORLD. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry