PHILIPI, W.Va. Police are accusing a Philippi man of kidnapping after an incident Tuesday at a residence on Lander Road.
Officers from multiple agencies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance and found the victim hiding under the porch of a nearby home. The victim has a swollen eye and told police that Sammy Martz, 47, had hit her in the face.
The victim told police she was able to flee the residence from a rear window after Martz allegedly threatened to kill her and burned her with a torch on the stomach and leg.
As the victim was being treated for injuries, she told investigators Martz was armed and still inside the home. At that point, West Virginia State Police troopers and deputies from the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department prepared to enter the home.
When police entered the home and identified themselves, Martz surrendered from a back bedroom and was placed in handcuffs.
Martz admitted to the police that he harmed the woman and burned her with a torch three times.
At the hospital, the victim told police she tried to leave the house early Tuesday morning, but Martz would not allow her to go and kept her there for four to five hours. During that time, Martz allegedly hit and burned the victim.
Martz has been charged with kidnapping and is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail without bond.