Richland County woman was zip tied and raped. Suspect now in custody, police say
A man has been arrested in connection to a kidnapping and rape at a Columbia apartment complex, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
On Dec. 12, around 11:15 p.m., deputies responded to the 2200 block of Decker Blvd. in reference to a sexual assault. Once there, a woman told deputies she had been sexually assaulted in the in an apartment in the 200 block of Meredith Square, where she was blindfolded, zip tied and “brutally” raped, according to a news release.
Deputies observed blood on the victim’s fingers and zip ties around her wrist, the release said. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Following a DNA test kit, investigators identified Ernest Small, 38, as the perpetrator, according to the release. Small was located by the department’s fugitive task force and taken into custody on Dec. 17.
He was charged Friday with criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and kidnapping, the release said. He was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and denied bond.
Investigators believe Small may have committed similar crimes in the past and urges victims to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 576-3000 or provide an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
