The following story appeared in the Santa Barbara News-Press:

Santa Marian suspected of locking woman in bathroom

3/14/05

A Santa Maria man has been arrested after allegedly locking an acquaintance in a bathroom for two days, police said.

Derek Ryan Roden, 19, who is deaf and cannot speak, was taken into custody Saturday night on suspicion of false imprisonment, grand theft and battery.

Late Tuesday evening, he allegedly turned up unannounced at the home of an acquaintance, who is also deaf and cannot speak and uses a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, Santa Maria police said. She let him in, and Mr. Roden became violent; he hit the woman in the face, pulled her out of her wheelchair and locked her in a bathroom, according to police.

Mr. Roden returned a couple of days later and let the woman out, authorities said.

The victim was treated for her injuries, which were not serious, police said. She reported several items were stolen from her home.

Mr. Roden was booked at the Sheriff's Department's Santa Maria substation.

-- Staff report