A 55-year-old Salt Lake City man was arrested Thursday after a woman was found outside his apartment, covered in blood and begging neighbors for help, according to police documents. The suspect, identified as Demian Edgar Austin Robbins, was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on multiple felony counts. Officers reported the woman had visible facial injuries and was treated at the scene.
Documents obtained by ABC4 state that officers were called after neighbors heard a woman inside the apartment scream, “Let go of me, you’re hurting me.” The woman then reportedly ran outside yelling for help, with her face covered in blood and bruising visible on the right side of her face and nose. The documents say Robbins allegedly grabbed her by the back of the head and slammed her head against the ground as she tried to escape.
Neighbors Heard Screams From The Unit
Neighbors told officers they heard what sounded like a violent struggle and repeated pleas for help coming from Robbins’ apartment. One witness reported hearing Robbins tell someone to get back inside before a door slam, and officers later discovered the doorway apparently barricaded with a trash can and a bicycle.
According to the witness accounts cited in the police documents, the injured woman managed to run out of the apartment and cry for help, prompting the 911 call that brought officers to the scene.
Arrest, Charges And Booking
Police arrested Robbins and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail. Charging documents list counts that include kidnapping, a second-degree felony, and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony. The Salt Lake City Police Department told reporters the incident was not being treated as a domestic violence case, according to ABC4.
The documents also allege Robbins elbowed the woman during an attempt to escape and that she had scratches on her neck and cheek, along with a possible broken nose. The Salt Lake County Corrections Bureau, which maintains online inmate rosters, handled Robbins’ booking, and he remains in custody pending an initial court appearance, per the Salt Lake County Corrections Bureau.
What Comes Next
Investigators are continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses while prosecutors review the case for any additional potential filings. At this stage, the charges are only allegations, and Robbins is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Victims and witnesses connected to cases like this one can access support services, including safety planning and court accompaniment, through the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Victim Advocate Program and other local resources, according to SLCPD Victim Services.
Legal Context
Under Utah law, kidnapping and aggravated assault are felony offenses that can carry significant penalties if the state secures a conviction. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide whether to file any additional charges and will prosecute any felony counts that move forward.
Future hearings and filings in Robbins’ case will appear in court dockets and public records as the matter progresses through the criminal justice system.
