Man accused of ramming, raping girlfriend

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., July 31 (UPI) -- An Indiana man is facing criminal charges for allegedly beating, raping and running into his girlfriend with a car, authorities said.

Marlon Dandre Stringfellow, 40, was in jail Thursday after he allegedly beat his girlfriend with a hatchet and struck her with a vehicle before forcing her to have sex with him, the Northwest Indiana Times reported.

He is facing charges of attempted murder, rape, battery, intimidation, sexual battery and two counts of criminal confinement, the newspaper said.

Merrillville, Ind., police Detective George Fields said the assault went on for at least eight consecutive hours Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Fields said the incident began when the girlfriend fled the couple's home after Stringfellow started to get angry.

Officials said the girlfriend had four broken ribs needed about 50 stitches after the incident.