South Carolina Man Accused Of Kidnapping Woman On Trip To Maine

A South Carolina man is accused of forcing a woman to join him on a drive to Maine, allegedly beating her repeatedly during the trip.

Lewiston Police were first alerted to 25-year-old Dustin Beach when they responded to a report of a woman who had allegedly been hit with a hammer on July 25th. Beach had a warrant out for his arrest from South Carolina on multiple charges stemming from an alleged assault on a different woman than the one they found in the room with him at the Super 8 Motel on Lisbon Street.

According to WMTW-TV, the story she told police was of a man (Beach) who allegedly sexually assaulted her in South Carolina before forcing her to accompany him as he drove to Maine. She said he repeatedly beat her during the trip, using things like a hammer, a metal chain, and the ripped-out center console of the truck. The woman, whose name has not been released, also told authorities that Beach had threatened to kill her and her children.

She said she tried to get away, but was unable to escape, and couldn't find anyone who would help her. In one instance during the trip, Beach allegedly got into a road rage incident with another driver and got his truck stuck in mud when he pulled over. When a State Trooper arrived, she said Beach got out of the truck and talked to the trooper, who then left. Court documents state the trooper didn't notice anyone else in the truck. Police say Beach and the woman arrived in Maine on July 21st.

In South Carolina, Beach is charged with kidnapping, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of cocaine, distribution of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. Again, those charges are in connection with accusations from another woman he allegedly assaulted. He was ordered to wear a GPS bracelet when released on bail on June 10th, but the prosecutor's office was notified on June 27th that it had been cut off. A warrant for his arrest was issued on July 19th.

Beach is charged with one count of kidnapping in Maine and is currently being held without bail in the Androscoggin County Jail.