Woodland man arrested for suspected kidnapping, rape near Austin Point

A Woodland man is in custody after authorities say he sexually assaulted a woman in a wooded area near Austin Point and threatened to kill her and her friend.

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Jacob Anthony Meyer, 33, was in Cowlitz County Jail as of Friday morning after his Thursday arrest.

The women escaped by flagging down a passerby for help early Thursday, according to a Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office press release.

Meyer offered to drive the two women home from a Portland club, but instead took them to the Austin Point area around 4 a.m. and demanded sexual favors, the notice continues.

Austin Point is located near where the Lewis River meets the Columbia.

Meyer wouldn't drive them home, the women told police, then threatened to kill them while brandishing a knife. He sexually assaulted one of them, according to the press release.

Cowlitz County deputies and Woodland police arrested him after the passerby called 911 just before 6 a.m.

Meyer was booked on suspicion of second-degree rape and indecent liberties, as well as two counts each of felony harassment and second-degree kidnapping.

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