AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five people were arrested Thursday morning after police found a woman handcuffed with a piece of exercise equipment outside a southeast Austin home.
According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to an “urgent welfare check” call at 1700 Bitter Creek Drive shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday. The call reported a woman in distress who “appeared to be tied up and asking for help,” according to a statement from APD.
When police found the woman, she had “signs of physical distress” and had visible injuries “consistent with prolonged restraint,” police said.
The police department immediately worked to free her, and due to the condition of the restraints, had to cut the “heavy metal connections” to release her safely. APD requested assistance from the Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS.
ATCEMS transported the woman to the hospital. Police said she is still there. They did not provide details about her condition.
According to police, while officers were helping the woman, several adults came out of the home. They were arrested while officers secured the scene.
Three young children were also found in the home and were placed in the care of Child Protective Services.
Five people, pictured below, were arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, injury to the elderly or disabled, and unlawful restraint.
APD said this is an active and ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information should call APD’s Human Trafficking Unit at (512) 974-4786. You can submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Region Crime Stoppers program by visiting the website austincrimestoppers.org Or call (512) 472-8477.