Friday March 29th, 2024 8:26AM

Buford man charged with holding woman captive in basement, raping her

By B.J. Williams

Gwinnett County Police Department investigators have charged a Buford man with rape, false imprisonment and several other offenses after an incident that occurred last week. 

In a press statement, Cpl. Michele Pihera said officers were called to a home on Grand Ashbury Lane in Buford just before 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24. She said they found a woman there with the residents of the house, who said she had been locked in a basement of another home in the neighborhood and sexually assaulted.

"The victim showed up at the resident’s home fully nude, hands bound with rope, and duct tape around her head and neck," Pihera said.  She noted that the neighbors had freed the woman from the duct tape. 

Officers determined that the original crime occurred at 594 Grand Ashbury Lane, so they obtained a search warrant to make entry into the house, according to Pihera.

Pihera said investigators were able to determine that the suspect, 39-year-old Thuan Dinh, had traveled to the victim's home in California and had driven her back to his home in Buford. Pihera said the two had dated for an undetermined amount of time. 

"After arriving at the home, the victim was tied up, raped and tased. She was physically and sexually assaulted for about 24 hours," Pihera wrote in the press statement,

The victim was able to escape the morning of Nov. 24 after the suspect left the house for a short period of time. That's when she ran to the neighbor’s home for help.    

The 41-year-old woman was taken to a hospital to be treated for her injuries.

Pihera said investigators learned the suspect had been using multiple names, but once they obtained his true identity, they were able to take out arrest warrants for him.

She said Dinh was eventually captured on Wednesday, Nov. 29, during a traffic stop on Buford Highway and Suwanee Dam Road. At last report he remained in the Gwinnett County Jail.

In addition to the rape, false imprisonment and aggravated assault charges, Dinh may also face drug charges, since the initial search of his residence turned up a large amount of suspected marijuana. Pihera said that part of the investigation has been turned over to the police department's Narcotics Unit.    

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News
  • Associated Tags: Buford, rape, false imprisonment, Gwinnett County Police Department
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