MERRILLVILLE | Police described it as a "night of terror" for a Merrillville woman who suffered four broken ribs and numerous lacerations at the hands of her boyfriend earlier this week.
The more than eight-hour incident involved the suspect, Marlon Dandre Stringfellow, 40, battering the victim, striking her with a hatchet and hitting her with a car before raping her at their home in the 6000 block of Harrison Street, police allege.
Merrillville police Detective George Fields said the incident began about 11:30 p.m. Monday and didn't end until 7:42 a.m. Tuesday.
Fields said the victim initially left the home after her boyfriend, Stringfellow, became agitated.
Fields said Stringfellow was waiting for her in their yard when she returned, telling the victim to get out of the vehicle and they would work out their problems.
Fields said the victim got out of the car, but Stringfellow started striking her and forced the victim into the passenger seat of the car.
Stringfellow then drove to a church on 57th Avenue, where he told the victim to get out of the car and disrobe, Fields said.
The victim obeyed the orders, but Stringfellow began hitting her with a hatchet, causing lacerations to the victim's legs, arms and forehead, Fields said.
He said Stringfellow threw the victim back into the vehicle and continued driving. The car stopped near a gas station at the 49th Avenue and Broadway intersection, where the victim fled the car seeking help.
Stringfellow hit the victim with the car while she was running toward the gas station, Fields said, breaking four of the victim's ribs. Fields said Stringfellow then physically dragged the victim back into the car.
Stringfellow then drove the couple back to their home on Harrison Street and raped the victim, Fields said.
Following the rape, the victim was able to notify someone of the situation, and that person contacted authorities, Fields said.
The victim was transported to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville for her injuries. Fields said she lost a large amount of blood during the incident.
Police are expected to file charges against Stringfellow Wednesday in Lake County Criminal Court.
