Holly Hill, FL - A 30-year-old man has been arrested for tying up and beating his boyfriend.
Holly Hill police were called to the Murphy's Gas station at 1903 N. Nova Rd. at around 9:55 PM on Thursday where they found the victim who was naked and tied at the wrists with electrical cord. The victim was also covered in blood and one of his eyes was swollen shut. He told officers that he had been badly beaten and then tied up for most of the day. The victim identified the attacker as his boyfriend, Matthew Jon Mecke, 30, and told officers they could probably find Mecke in his apartment. The victim was taken to Halifax Health in Daytona Beach for treatment.
Officers went to the victim's apartment on Charleston House Way in Holly Hill and found the door slightly open. Officers knocked, announced their presence, and then opened the door. They found Mecke in the bedroom lying on the bed, unresponsive. Officers called his name and woke him up then arrested him.
The victim told officers that he had known Mecke for about a year and that the two do not live together. He said that Mecke had been extremely argumentative over the previous three days, then became violent on the day of the attack. Officers say it's not clear why, but Mecke severely beat his boyfriend with his fist and a large crystal ashtray, causing serious injury. When he fell to the ground, Mecke kept hitting him in the head and body with his fist and kicked him several times. Mecke then bound his wrists together with electrical cord.
Several hours after the attack, Mecke passed out and the victim managed to escape the apartment and make his way to the gas station, where he got help from an employee.
Mecke was treated at Halifax Health for an injured finger, then was brought to the Volusia County Jail, where he's being held without bond. He's been charged with aggravated battery and false imprisonment.
Photo courtesy peytonwood1202 and Flickr.com.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
