New Bedford man accused of throwing woman into campfire
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WJAR) — Fairhaven police said a Massachusetts man is accused of throwing a woman into a campfire and holding her in the flames.
Robert McWilliams, 45, whose last known address is in New Bedford, was arraigned Tuesday on several charges related to the alleged attack.
"I've never seen that man before and I hope I never have to again because he's where he belongs to be," said Fairhaven resident Kyle Leite.
Authorities found the victim with burns on her upper body while responding to reports of a suspicious person in the Long Road area around 8:15 p.m. on Monday.
Police said she was taken to the hospital. She told officials she knew who attacked her and that she was thrown into a campfire and held down.
"You don't usually hear of stuff happening like that over here," said Leite. "If you're doing that to a woman, there's no stopping doing that to a child or somebody else. So, it hit home a little bit and somebody we'll talk about with my wife and son."
Police spotted McWilliams in the woods near the scene of the attack.
He was arrested and charged with:
- Assault and battery
- Assault and battery with a deadly weapon
- Intimidation of a witness
- Assault with intent to kill
Fairhaven police said he was arraigned in New Bedford District Court. The condition of the victim is unclear at this time.