Selawik residents rescued a woman from the Selawik River after she escaped a man who allegedly kidnapped her and tried to sexually assault her aboard his boat.
Alaska State Troopers were notified of the incident around 3 a.m. Saturday, according to an online dispatch.
Their investigation led them to arrest 51-year-old Charles Myers Sr, who allegedly forced the 21-year-old victim onto his boat and threatened to sexually assault her, troopers wrote.
“The victim screamed for help and was able to get away from Myers by jumping overboard into the river,” according to troopers. “Her cries for help were heeded by other villagers who came to her rescue and she was transported to the clinic where she was treated for hypothermia and some cuts and bruises.”
Troopers charged Myers with kidnapping, reckless endangerment and DUI. He is being held at the Kotzebue jail pending his arraignment. He has prior assault convictions, online court records show.
