Phoenix man accused of imprisoning and abusing girlfriend in shed

Just after 4 pm, on July 2^nd, 2025, a man living near Interstate 17 and Northern Avenue, Phoenix, answered the door to a disheveled and injured woman asking for help, claiming her boyfriend had been abusing her.

He described her as being "frantic," having two black eyes, a bruise on her head, and a bruise on her leg. It was clear she hadn’t washed in a while and was dirty, he said, adding: "she was scared to death that he was going to find her and kill her."

The man allowed her to enter his home where he attempted to calm her down, and gave her a phone to call 911.

He listened as the woman explained her situation to the 911 dispatcher, and alleged she was held captive by her boyfriend for more than two weeks. She said she escaped through the backdoor of the shed, which she discovered was unlocked.

Police later confirmed these injuries were visible in reports, and the local hospital she was transported to for care identified a broken rib.

Police described her has having a swollen face, bite marks on her shoulder, what appeared to be whip marks, possibly from an electrical cord she accused her captor of striking her with, and bruising.

A forensic nurse said there was evidence enough to corroborate the claims, and it has also been reported that a mattress, chains, and other items identified in the victims version of events were found in the shed.

She alleged that she was beaten, sexually assaulted, and had her life threatened. Timothy James Wood, 36, was arrested outside of his parents residence near Glendale and 23rd avenues.

In court, the shocking details of the alleged captivity were revealed.

The victim said she was tied with chains, and that Wood threatened to cut her foot off with a saw. According to a prosecutor, Wood also buried the victim for two days in a hole he had dug beneath the shed.

The Herald Leader described the hole as a crawl space at the foot of the bed.

The victim was reportedly facing eviction, and said she met the suspect while living at a prior property.

She said a relationship developed between them and she then moved into a shed located in Wood's father's backyard. It was then, the victim alleged, that she was held captive by Wood and tied down by a yellow tow strap attached to her ankle.

She told police that she was forbidden from leaving the shed, but was permitted to enter the main home on occasion if she wore makeup to cover the bruises and injuries to her face, and was accompanied by the accused.

Wood denied all allegations, saying the victim "just got out of the looney bin or whatever," "in Mesa."

He said he was a father of three, and pertaining to the accusations against him added:   "that's not me."

Saying: "I guess she has these episodes, and when she has an episode, I'm supposed to call her mom. I wasn't home at the time. When I got home, the police were there, and this all just kind of broke out."

 

Despite his protests, Wood is being held in jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond.

Media outlets report that in 2007, when Wood was 19, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, and domestic violence, following an incident where he threatened the life of his then-girlfriend, who was a minor.

Witnesses stated that they saw a male attempting to abduct a screaming female who he was trying to forcibly bundle into his truck.

When the police came, Wood claimed he was attempting to get her out of his vehicle because they were arguing.

He served 180 days in jail for his crime. 

In court, the victim's grandmother begged the judge to give him maximum time, for fear that he would eventually murder or injure another girl.

It is also reported that he spent a year in prison in 2010 for attempted aggravated domestic violence.

While living with his then-pregnant girlfriend, Wood choked her and threatened her life.

Witnesses said they saw Wood at the woman's place of work, and that she had visible injuries to her face.

The victim, again, pleaded with the judge in a letter, writing: "Does he have to kill someone before he goes away?"

He is now facing several accounts of aggravated assault, sexual assault, kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.