Grinnell man charged in Newton kidnapping

A Grinnell man is charged with kidnapping for allegedly holding a woman against her will in a Newton motel room.
Newton police arrested 38-year-old Michael A. Darrow at about 1:30 a.m. Monday at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, 1405 W. 19th St. S.

The victim said Darrow held her against her will in the motel room and twice strangled her and physically restricted her from leaving when she attempted to escape. According to a police report, Darrow told the victim, “scream one more time, and I’ll kill you.”

Darrow also took the victim’s cell phone and the motel room phone, according to police. The victim was eventually able to leave the motel room and ran across Highway 14 to Casey’s to report the assault and kidnapping. Darrow fled the scene, but was later taken into custody.

He faces charges for third-degree kidnapping, first-degree harassment, assault causing bodily injury and controlled substance violation.

Darrow is being held without bond at the Jasper County Jail.

Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com