BAY MINETTE – A Bay Minette man is in jail after kidnapping a woman and holding her hostage over the weekend.

Mario Mendez, 36, of 226 Townsend Avenue, was arrested Monday evening and charged with second degree kidnapping, first degree unlawful imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child and domestic violence – strangulation.

According to a press release from Bay Minette Police Chief Clarence Crook, officers responded around 7 p.m. Monday to a welfare concern where a woman was possibly being held against her will. The initial investigation revealed the woman was at a relative’s house when Mendez approached. He reportedly threatened her if she did not get in the car with him.

She complied, got in the vehicle and left with him.

According to Chief Crook, Mendez used a combination of threats, intimidation and physical abuse to keep the woman at his residence for the next three days. It was only when police arrived, that the victim was able to leave the house.

The investigation is ongoing. Bond had not been set for Mendez by late Tuesday afternoon.