Police have arrested a man in Central California for allegedly raping, beating, and holding her teen girlfriend in a car for five days.

Eddie Perez, 19, was arrested Saturday night, a day after the girl was rescued.

Hanford Police Sergeant Justin Vallin said the suspect was charged with kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon and rape.

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The 16-year-old girl's family said she ran away from Avenal two weeks ago. Officials said the girl could have eloped with Perez. But things turned violent when Perez accused his girlfriend of cheating, Vallin said.

Police say Perez held the girl in a car and drove around the county.  He would also bind her hand and tie her hair to the headrest, when he needed to get out of the car for food and water.

The girl was able to call for help Friday afternoon, while she was left alone in the car.

Albert Martinez, the man who rescued her, said he heard screams, and immediately ran downstairs.  Martinez found the girl inside the car, barely conscious and badly bruised.

"She was really panicked and crying and really scared," Martinez said.

Medical examinations revealed the girl suffered broken bones, but is now in stable condition.

"She's emotionally distraught in regards to everything that's happened to her," he said.

In a pursit operation, police located Perez at an apartment close to where the victim was found. Investigators believe the suspect has links to gangs in Avenal.

Tagscalifornia, police, Teen rape, Eddie Perez