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A Capitol Heights man has been arrested for allegedly beating a suspected prostitute Sunday after agreeing to meet in Upper Marlboro through the Web site Craigslist, according to a Prince George's County police spokesman.
According to police, Wayne William Graves, 40, of the 6100 block of Central Avenue met the woman, who is in her late 20s and lives in Bladensburg, and beat her with a baseball bat. Officers responding to a report of an assault in the 14400 block of Colonel Fenwick Court in Upper Marlboro found the woman lying naked, disoriented and incoherent and suffering from upper-body trauma.
The woman was transported to a local hospital and treated for her injuries. Police spokesman Cpl. Clinton Copeland said she is expected to survive.
Copeland declined to elaborate on how the department's Sexual Assault Unit pinpointed Graves as the suspect in the attack.
Police arrested Graves at a motel in the 5700 block of Allentown Road, just outside of Andrews Air Force Base. He has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and possession of a concealed deadly weapon. Graves is being held by the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro without bond.
Copeland said women who meet johns online should be aware of the danger involved but said the police department investigates all sexual assaults, even those associated with illegal activities such as prostitution.
"If these young ladies do report a sexual assault of some kind, we do take it seriously, and we do investigate," he said.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George's County Police Department's Sexual Assault Unit at 301-772-4908. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477.
