South Coast man accused of throwing woman into fire and holding her there

A South Coast man was arrested on multiple charges following an alleged assault Monday night where he allegedly threw a woman he knew into a fire.

According to police, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Fairhaven Police received a report of a suspicious person in the area of Long Road.

Upon arrival, officers found a woman suffering from burns on her upper body. The victim told officers that she was attacked by a person she knew, and was thrown into a campfire and held there. The woman was able to escape to get help.

The victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries. Her current condition is unknown.

A subsequent investigation resulted in the identification of 45-year-old Robert McWilliams as the suspect. Using both patrol units and the Fairhaven Police Drone Unit, officers located McWilliams in a wooded area nearby, which was where the alleged assault had occurred. He was arrested without incident.

McWilliams was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Intimidation of a Witness, and Assault with Intent to Kill.

McWilliams was arraigned Tuesday in New Bedford District Court.