Man held without bail after allegedly holding 3 women hostage in West Greenwich

WEST GREENWICH, R.I. (WLNE) — The West Greenwich Police Department said a man accused of holding three woman hostage was held without bail on Monday.

51-year-old Scott Fratus was charged with first degree sexual assault, three counts of kidnapping, domestic breaking and entering, domestic stalking, domestic felony assault, three counts of failure to relinquish the phone/obstruction of 911, and disorderly conduct.

On May 16, at 3 p.m., police received a call from a man claiming he was holding people against their will, without giving a name or location.

Police were able to identify the caller, and made contact with the resident of the caller’s previous address. Police said the resident was the caller’s ex-girlfriend, who confirmed his identity and told police he had a knife.

On scene, officers discovered Fratus and his ex-girlfriend had broken up within the last week, and that on the 16th he allegedly waited in the woods all night for her to come outside.

The next morning, the woman left the house to let the dog out, which is when police allege Fratus walked up to her with a knife and forced himself inside the house.

Police allege Fratus then zip tied and duct taped a 26-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman who were inside the residence, and forced them to text their jobs that they would not be at work that day. He then allegedly took their phones.

When one of the woman resisted being tied up, Fratus allegedly struck her with a bat.

West Greenwich police said the victims were held hostage throughout the day, and Fratus possessed a knife at different occasions during that time. Police added he was wearing latex and workman style gloves.

According to West Greenwich police, Fratus told officers that he had consensual intercourse with one of the victims. The victim told police it was coerced.

Fratus was arrested and charged.

The victims were given resources.

Police said there is no threat to the community and the situation was an isolated incident.