Police: Suspect prevented woman from leaving, raped her in Rehoboth Beach home

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (WPVI) -- Police in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware have arrested a 20-year-old man after they say he forced a woman to have sex with him against her will.

Joshua Abele of Dover was charged with 1 count of first degree rape, 1 count of first degree kidnapping, 1 count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and 1 count of aggravated menacing, which are all felony crimes.

Police responded to King Charles Avenue around 4 p.m. Wednesday for the report of a sexual assault.

A 21-year-old woman told police she had entered a home on Oak Avenue where she had been living with Abele to retrieve some personal items.

The victim told police she believed nobody was home, but was met by Abele who was hiding inside.

Police say Abele confronted the victim and prevented her from leaving the home. She told police he was armed with a handgun, which officers later determined to be a BB gun.

Police say Abele forced the victim to have sex with him.

He eventually allowed her to leave after threatening to harm her if she contacted authorities, police say.

The victim fled in a vehicle to King Charles Avenue where she contacted the police.

Officers responded to the home on Oak Avenue and arrested Abele as he was preparing to leave in a Ford truck.

Abele was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $105,000 secured bail.

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