Man accused of kidnapping woman, holding her prisoner for nearly 24 hours

SARASOTA, Fla. - A 47-year-old man is accused in the kidnapping and sexual battery of a 24-year-old female victim.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, the victim reported that Raul Castro let her use his cell phone, then agreed to give her a ride home from a shopping center on Cattlemen Road Thursday afternoon.

Castro allegedly told the victim he had to stop at his house on the way, but when they arrived there, she reports that he threatened her with a machete and forced her into the home.

Authorities say she claims she was held there against her will for nearly 24 hours and sexually battered.

Friday afternoon, the victim told detectives Castro was distracted by something and she was able to escape.

After the victim reported the crime to the sheriff's office, detectives obtained a warrant for Castro's arrest.

The SWAT team took Castro into custody at 3 a.m. Saturday morning.

He has been booked into the Sarasota County Jail and is being held on $200,000 bond.