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A Camden man has been arrested after police said he held a woman against her will for more than a week, locked her in a bedroom, repeatedly assaulted and threatened to kill her. 

Richard J. Ellis, 34, has been charged with kidnapping, gross sexual assault, aggravated assault, criminal threatening, obstructing the report of crime or injury and violation of a condition of release. He is scheduled to appear in Knox County Court Friday afternoon. 

The ordeal began on Sept. 8, according to court documents, when the woman went to the Park Street apartment where Ellis lived. It’s unclear why she went there. But once there, she was held against her will for more than a week. 

Every time she attempted to leave, Ellis allegedly hit her, according to a police affidavit filed in court. At other times during the week, the woman told police Ellis kept her locked in a bedroom. 

When she arrived at Ellis’ apartment, he took her glasses, car keys and cellphone, according to police. She told police he threatened to kill her.

On Wednesday morning, the woman was finally able to leave the apartment, though it is not clear how. Police were called to the area before 7 a.m. after receiving a report of a woman lying in the roadway on Park Street, “having some type of a mental health crisis,” according to the affidavit. 

By the time police arrived the woman was gone. But shortly after, she made her own way to the Camden Police Department in search of help. 

The woman was “crying hysterically” and visibly afraid, Camden Police Detective Curt Andrick wrote in the affidavit. Andrick said the woman had two black eyes, facial scratches, as well as multiple bruises and scratches on her arms and back. 

The woman was taken to Pen Bay Medical Center for treatment. 

Ellis was arrested Wednesday and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is being held until his court hearing Friday. 

Ellis has a criminal record in Maine dating back about 15 years, including convictions for theft, assault, unlawful sexual touching, domestic violence terrorizing, disorderly conduct and operating under the influence. 

Earlier this year, Ellis was charged with domestic violence assault. That case is still pending.