HOUSTON — A woman survived an attack at the hands of a man she met on a dating app, according to Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman's Office.
The victim was held hostage for five days, repeatedly sexually assaulted and beaten by 21-year-old Zachary Mills, Precinct 4 said.
"The victim in this case had severe injures to her face, orbital sockets, lower extremities; thankfully, we were able to get her to the hospital very quickly," Precinct 4 Capt. Jonathan Zitzmann said.
After exchanging a few messages on Bumble, the 22-year-old woman agreed to meet Mills in person. He picked her up on Christmas Eve and drove to his apartment and that's where her nightmare began.
According to court documents, the woman told investigators that Mills got angry because she wouldn't have sex with him. She said he bit her, punched her and beat her over and over with a screwdriver handle.
"From that point forward, he did not let her leave, withholding food and water," Zitzmann said.
On Dec. 29, she escaped when he left the apartment at 8011 Augusta Pines in Spring and got help from a good Samaritan.
Deputies arrested Mills at a gas station across from his apartment on Dec. 30. He is charged with first-degree aggravated kidnapping and his bond was set at $50,000. He posted bond and is under house arrest until his next court appearance in February.
Mills attorney, Chris Denuna, told KHOU 11 that he doesn't buy the victim's story.
"These are egregious allegations, but I have not seen anything in the allegations that make them credible," Denuna said.
Precinct 4 said they're still investigating and more charges could be filed.
In the meantime, they urge anyone who uses dating apps to be cautious.
"Try to meet in a public setting, ideally meet in a group setting, do what you can to know individuals before you find yourself in a one-on-one situation," Zitzmann advised.