Salisbury man charged with kidnapping and assaulting woman

The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office says they arrested a Salisbury man on Friday after he assaulted a woman, held her against her will and then barricaded himself inside his home.

Joseph Owen Ellis, 27, reportedly held a bloodied and beaten woman inside his house in the 500 block of Purnell Street for more than four hours.

Police say they responded to the home at around 5:10 AM on Friday after neighbors saw Ellis drag a screaming woman into his house and called 911. Upon their arrival, officers reportedly heard a woman yelling for help from inside the house and saw Ellis restraining the victim.

Ellis let the woman go and she was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center to be treated for significant injuries she sustained from being assaulted, police said.

Ellis reportedly remained in the house and refused to surrender himself. Police say he announced he was going to commit suicide.

Officers then forced their way into the home and say they found Ellis hanging from a cord tied around his neck. He was taken down, treated with first aid and transported to PRMC.

On Saturday Ellis was released from PRMC and into police custody. He is charged with kidnapping, first degree assault, two counts of second degree assault, false imprisonment, two counts of reckless endangerment and possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure.

Ellis is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.