Wilmington – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Dover man in connection with a sexual assault incident that took place in North Wilmington, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffe said the incident occurred on Saturday, September 15, 2018, when a woman and her female friend, were seeking transportation from Dover to their respective residences. At approximately 10:00 a.m., while still in Dover, they were offered and accepted a ride from an unknown black male who was operating a black, unknown make and model 4 door vehicle.
After driving north from Dover, the Wilmington woman was dropped off near Wilmington as planned. The other woman remained in the vehicle in anticipation of being driven to her home as agreed upon. Instead of continuing on to her home, the male suspect pulled in to the Merchant Square Shopping Center located in the 4000 block of Governor Printz Boulevard, Wilmington, at which time he demanded sex from the female victim, which she refused, according to Jaffe.
The suspect then drove to a secluded area, where he parked and allegedly forcibly took the victim’s two cell phones from her possession, said Jaffe. Investigators are alleging that the suspect then forcibly removed the victim from the vehicle and sexually assault her, according to Jaffe. In addition, Troopers are also alleging that the suspect told the victim that he was going to kill her and that he dragged her by her neck and proceeded to submerge her into a body of water that was nearby, according to Jaffe. After the suspect left the area in his vehicle the victim was able to flag down a passing motorist who allowed her to use a phone to call 911. The victim was transported to an area hospital where she was treated for serious injuries.
Through investigative measures, 47-year-old Frank D. Bowden was developed as a suspect, according to Jaffe. On Friday, September 28, 2018, Bowden turned himself into police and was charged with the following:
Attempt to Commit Murder First Degree
Rape First Degree
Robbery Second Degree
Terroristic Threatening
Bowden was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $205,500.00 cash only bond.
Because of the sensitive nature of this case, and in consideration for the victim, only limited information will be released, said Jaffe.