Police: Woman endured 'night of terror'

MERRILLVILLE | Police said a Merrillville woman suffered a "night of terror," four broken ribs and numerous lacerations at the hands of her boyfriend earlier this week.

Marlon Dandre Stringfellow, 40, is accused of beating the victim, striking her with a hatchet and hitting her with a car before raping her at their home in the 6000 block of Harrison Street, police said.

Stringfellow was charged Wednesday in Lake County Criminal Court with attempted murder, rape, battery, intimidation, sexual battery and two counts of criminal confinement.

Merrillville police Detective George Fields said the more than eight-hour incident began about 11:30 p.m. Monday and ended at 7:42 a.m. Tuesday.

Fields said the victim initially left the home after Stringfellow became agitated.

Stringfellow was waiting for her in their yard when she returned, telling the victim to get out of the vehicle and they would work out their problems, Fields said.

Fields said the victim got out of the car, but Stringfellow started striking her and forced her into the passenger seat of the car.

Stringfellow then drove to a church on 57th Avenue, where he told the victim to get out of the car and disrobe, Fields said.

The victim obeyed the orders, but Stringfellow began hitting her with a hatchet, causing lacerations to the victim's legs, arms and forehead, Fields said.

He said Stringfellow threw the victim back into the vehicle and continued driving. The car stopped near a gas station at the 49th Avenue and Broadway intersection, where the victim fled the car seeking help.

Stringfellow hit the victim with the car while she was running toward the gas station, Fields said. The impact threw the victim over the top of the car, Fields said, and broke four of her ribs. Fields said Stringfellow then dragged the victim back into the car.

Stringfellow drove back to their home on Harrison Street and raped the victim, Fields said.

Following the rape, the victim was able to notify someone of the situation, and that person contacted authorities, Fields said.

The victim was transported to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville for her injuries. Fields said she received about 50 stitches and lost a large amount of blood during the incident.