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Published: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

Updated: 4:38 pm Monday, Nov. 14, 2011

Man allegedly held and tortured for several days in California Valley escapes

Resident escaped Friday; one suspect is in custody

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Daniel Andrew Zeller

| jolamb@thetribunenews.com

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the charges under which one of the two suspects in the case is being held. Phillip Clyde Williams is being held without bail in the San Luis Obispo County Jail on two warrants for drug possession charges, as well as on suspicion of possessing an illegal drug, according to jail records.

UPDATE: Second suspect is arrested in California Valley »

A 27-year-old man was allegedly held in a California Valley home for days and tortured with a fork and a hammer, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, a California Valley resident whose name has not been released, escaped Friday afternoon from an isolated home on the 13000 block of Camarillo Road north of Soda Lake where he was being held, sheriff’s officials said.

The only residence on that block, according to the San Luis Obispo Assessor’s Office, is at 13680 Camarillo Road.

After escaping, the man contacted authorities.

Because of a storm, CHP and ambulance helicopters were unable to fly to the location. But law enforcement personnel eventually made it to the scene, where the victim was treated.

He is now being treated at an undisclosed hospital in San Luis Obispo County, officials said.

One of two suspects, Phillip Clyde Williams, was arrested after he tried to return to the scene of the crime early Saturday morning. He is being held at County Jail without bail on two warrants for drug possession charges, as well as on suspicion of possessing an illegal drug, according to jail records.

A second suspect, Daniel Andrew Zeller, is believed to be in or around Taft.

Why the victim was held hostage and tortured is unknown at this time.

The investigation is ongoing, sheriff’s officials said.

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