WILMINGTON, Del. -- Delaware State Police say they have a Dover man in custody after a sexual assault and attempted murder incident.
Frank D. Bowden, 47 of Dover, turned himself in to police on Friday. He was wanted on charges stemming from an incident that happened Sept. 15.
According to police, two women were looking for a ride home from Dover to their respective homes in Wilmington when an unknown man offered them a ride. The driver was later identified as Bowden. They accepted, and the first woman was dropped off near Wilmington as originally planned, police said.
State police said the second woman stayed in the car, waiting to be taken back to her home, as agreed upon.
However, DSP said Bowden brought the woman to the Merchant Square Shopping Center, where he reportedly demanded sex from her. She refused.
Police said he then drove her to a secluded area. Once there, DSP said Bowden took the woman's two phones, forced her out of the car, and sexually assaulted her. He then threatened to kill her and then submerged her into a nearby body of water, police said.
Bowden drove off, and police said the woman was able to flag down a passing driving who let her use a phone to call for help.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for serious injuries.
Detectives investigated, and learned Bowden was the suspect.
He turned himself in, and was charged with attempted first degree murder, first degree rape, second degree robbery, and terroristic threatening.
Bowden was arraigned and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $205,500 cash only bond.
