PHOENIX, AZ – A Phoenix man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he held his girlfriend captive for two weeks in a backyard shed, where she was allegedly subjected to repeated abuse, sexual assault, and even burial underground before she managed a harrowing escape.
Police arrested Timothy James Wood, 36, on Wednesday following the woman’s dramatic bid for freedom. Investigators allege Wood imprisoned the victim in a locked shed behind his father’s property in Maricopa County, using tow straps to bind her and heavy chains and bricks to barricade the door.
First responders were dispatched to a Phoenix residence around 4 p.m. on July 2, after the battered woman ran to a neighbor’s home and dialed 911. Authorities say the woman exhibited visible injuries, including two black eyes and numerous other signs of trauma. Neighbors described her as frantic and terrified that Wood might find her.
According to police and court documents, the victim recounted a two-week ordeal in which Wood repeatedly beat her with an electrical cord and coerced her into sexual acts under threats of violence if she did not comply or wear makeup. She described having her neck knelt upon while Wood allegedly threatened her life.
Officials also say Wood threatened to sever her foot with a saw and partially injured her foot during the incident. Perhaps most disturbing, prosecutors asserted that Wood dug a hole beneath the shed and buried the woman inside for as long as two days. The woman told investigators she feared for her life throughout the captivity.
The victim reportedly managed to escape by slipping out through the back of the shed after noticing an opportunity when the front was blockaded. She sought help from a nearby resident, leading to her eventual rescue.
Wood appeared in court to face charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, sexual assault, assault, aggravated assault, and criminal threats. During his hearing, he denied all allegations, telling officials that the accusations were fabricated and citing the woman’s purported mental health history. “These are some crazy allegations. That’s not me,” Wood insisted, maintaining that he was not present during the reported events.
Despite his denials, Wood is being held in the Maricopa County Jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond. Authorities have shared no further details regarding the current condition of the victim.
Prosecutors emphasized at the court hearing the seriousness of the alleged crimes, describing the risk and physical injuries the woman endured while being held captive. The investigation is ongoing as officials continue to gather evidence.