Sheriff: Rock Hill man climbed window, hid in closet after attacking woman

A Rock Hill man is facing domestic violence charges after he allegedly attacked a woman, then climbed through an open window and hid in a closet.

York County sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on the 6700 block of Mandarin Drive after two witnesses reported seeing Donald Ray Bowers, 34, attack his former girlfriend.

Bowers had reportedly been told to leave the home after striking the 31-year-old woman. He then apparently climbed through a bedroom window and hid inside a closet until deputies arrived, according to an arrest report.

Witnesses and the victim told deputies Bowers hit and pushed the woman and tried to prevent her from leaving the room. The woman had swelling and redness above her left eye while speaking to deputies, the officers reported.

After Bowers was put out of the house, he apparently climbed on top of a cooler to reach a bedroom window to get back inside and then refused to leave. Officers noted mud on the cooler and side of the house consistent with someone climbing through the window.

Bowers was still in the house when deputies arrived. He had scratches on his face and arms from the struggle with the woman, and deputies noted a small amount of blood on his nose and ears, as well as an odor of alcohol.

Bowers was charged with criminal domestic violence, second offense and transported to the York County Detention Center.

This story was originally published April 9, 2015 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Sheriff: Rock Hill man climbed window, hid in closet after attacking woman."