PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office filed kidnapping charges against a man who, according to court documents, was armed with a knife and threatened to stab a hotel housekeeper on Monday if she failed to follow his directions.
William Harrison English, 31, appeared in court on Tuesday. He’s facing two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one county of first-degree burglary, unlawful use of a weapon, coercion and menacing.
The alleged kidnapping happened Monday in an unspecified hotel near Portland International Airport. The housekeeper, who — according to court documents — hadn’t met English before, was cleaning inside a hotel room’s bathroom with the hallway door unlocked when she heard a noise and turned around. Standing there, according to court documents, was English, holding a knife above his shoulders.
He then, according to a probable cause affidavit, used that knife in a serious of commands and threats. First, he allegedly closed the door and told her not to scream, but when she did, he told her to stop or else he’d stab her. He then told her to turn toward the bathroom. Once again, according to documents, she didn’t. English then allegedly touched her shoulder forcibly turned her.
Eventually, after the series of requests, the woman used the hands-free function on a hotel phone to call the front desk and scream for help. English then allegedly ended the phone call while the housekeeper left the room, closed and locked the door until help arrived. Officers arrived and found her emotional and crying.
Port of Portland Police Officers found a knife hidden in English’s room, the affidavit stated.
English is currently lodged in Multnomah County Jail on over $300,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1.
