San Diego
An East San Diego man who was arrested in Phoenix last week has been brought to San Diego to stand trial on charges of kidnaping and raping women he kept prisoner in an Encanto home last year, police said.
Ronald Martin Gabriel, 34, who had been sought since July, was arrested last Wednesday after a woman escaped from a Phoenix house and called police, San Diego police spokesman Bill Robinson said.
Police last year issued a $100,000 warrant for his arrest after they were alerted by two women who said they were kidnaped, raped and beaten in the house during the previous year and a half, Robinson said. A search of the house revealed whips, collars and chains in a rear bedroom.
Two other women came forward after police started investigating the case, Robinson said. At that time, Robinson said, the victims, all from San Diego and in their late 20s, said they were afraid Gabriel would kill them.
“We feel there are others out there who will come forward now that he is in custody and they have nothing to be afraid of,” Robinson said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
