'Hog-tied' woman survives 7-hour assault, escapes; suspect arrested after surgery

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- (KNXV) -- Glendale police arrested 42-year-old Joshua Lee Richtar earlier this month for assaulting his girlfriend over a seven-hour period.

On the night of August 24 at a mobile home park near 43rd Avenue and Camelback Road, Richtar accused his girlfriend of cheating on him, and began beating her and strangling her to the point of unconsciousness. He then allegedly hog-tied her with rope and wire. Over the next seven hours, Richtar reportedly continued assaulting the woman with a metal pipe, strangling her with a plastic bag, and shaving her head. At one point he was distracted by someone outside the trailer, and the woman freed herself and ran outside naked, getting help from neighbors, who contacted police.

On September 7, police tracked Richtar to St. Joseph's Hospital where he was having surgery. When Richtar was released, police were there to arrest him. He's been charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault.