Fairhaven Police Arrest Man for Allegedly Burning Woman in a Campfire

FAIRHAVEN (WBSM) — A man last known to be living in New Bedford was arrested on multiple charges in Fairhaven Monday night after allegedly throwing a woman into a campfire and holding her there.

Fairhaven police said Robert McWilliams, 45, with a last known address in New Bedford, was arrested on multiple charges following the alleged assault.

He was arraigned today in New Bedford District Court.

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According to police, a report came in around 8:15 p.m. on March 20 of a suspicious person in the area of Long Road.

Police said officers arrived to find a woman “suffering from burns on her upper body.”

“The victim told officers that she was attacked by a person she knew, and was thrown into a campfire and held there,” police said in a release. “The woman was able to escape to get help.”

The woman was transported to the hospital by ambulance, and police said her current condition is unknown.

Police were able to identify McWilliams as the suspect and used patrol units and a drone to locate him in a wooded area near where the alleged assault occurred. They said he was arrested without incident.

McWilliams is charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, intimidation of a witness, and assault with intent to kill.