Boaz police arrested Douglas Heath Swearengin for attempted kidnapping and attempted rape. They say he tried to kidnap and rape a woman early Saturday morning.
Police say they detained him as he was actively attempting to sexually assault her. The incident happened at Sundown Apartment Complex in Boaz.
Residents of the apartment complex spoke with Â鶹app and told us it was a traumatizing and scary incident. They say they never imagined something like this happening right outside their windows.
One of the neighbors, Jeremiah McMullins, said he heard the female victim screaming for help, and then he ran outside to call the police.
McMullins said, “I was sitting in my living room watching TV, and I heard screams. And so we looked out the window, and a neighbor was dragging a lady down the stairs into the grass outside of our apartment. And we went outside, and he had her pants pulled down to her ankles, and she was screaming, so we immediately called law enforcement. And you know, I tried to keep him busy until the law got here.”Â
McMullins and other residents we spoke with say this apartment complex is quiet and full of families. Some residents tell us the suspect lived in the complex, but they did not know him.
Many neighbors woke up just after 1 a.m. Saturday after hearing the victim screaming for help.
McMullins says this was the most disturbing thing he’s ever witnessed. He tells us he tried to deescalate the suspect from attacking the victim further until law enforcement arrived minutes later.
McMullins said, “He didn't even acknowledge me. He kept doing what he was doing like I wasn't even there. He would look at me, and every time I could get him to look at me, he would focus on me, and I knew he wasn't doing anything further. He was not looking at her or anyone else. You know, so that was me trying to keep him looking at me so officers could get here."
This incident is shocking and upsetting to many who live in the apartment complex.
One resident told Â鶹app, “If people do stuff like that, they need to be held accountable. Even though I didn't know this person that it happened to, I want to make sure that the dude gets what he deserves. It makes me wish that there was more security in the area. I wish that they had video cameras around the complex to catch stuff like that in case it happens so people can be held accountable for their actions.”
Sundown Apartment Complex residents say this incident has put them on high alert, and they will continue to protect their families and each other.
Swearengin remains behind bars on a $60,000 bond.
