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MIDWAY, Utah – A domestic violence victim is safe after writing “911” on her hand and showing it to a locksmith who had come to her house. The man accused of holding her hostage has been arrested.
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office says 45-year-old Grant Eggertsen of West Jordan, Utah used a key he had to get into the woman’s home on October 1st. Then, he took her cell phone and would not let her leave her room. He is also accused of trying to assault her, as well as threatening to burn her house down.
Deputies say the woman had asked Eggertsen to leave multiple times, but he refused.
A locksmith was called the next day to change the lock on the front door.
According to an affidavit, that’s when the woman showed the 911 message written on her hand to the locksmith.
The locksmith told sheriff’s deputies a man had stayed close to the woman while he was in the home. She also had to ask him for her phone so she could pay.
When a deputy came to the home to investigate, the victim “quickly opened the door and walked fast out the front door and stated that [Eggertsen] was downstairs in the house,” the affidavit states.
The deputy says he also saw the woman’s “911” message on her hand.
At some point, the victim was also able to email two people to tell them what was going on.
Eggertson has been charged with aggravated kidnapping in the course of committing unlawful detention, which is a third-degree felony. He’s also facing criminal trespass of a dwelling and simple assault, both misdemeanors.
Domestic violence victims who need help are encouraged to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the Utah LINKLine at 1-800-897-5465. Calls are confidential.