San Diego

A man wanted in connection with several kidnaping-rapes in East San Diego was arrested in Phoenix Wednesday after an alleged victim escaped and contacted authorities, police said.

San Diego police had been seeking the arrest of Ronald Martin Gabriel, 34, since July for allegedly kidnaping, chaining, beating and raping women in East San Diego.

San Diego police spokesman Bill Robinson said police were not certain how many women had been victimized because many may have been afraid to report the crimes.

Robinson, who characterized Gabriel as a “biker type,” said Gabriel was arrested at a Phoenix home early Wednesday after a woman escaped from the house and told Phoenix authorities that Gabriel was there.

Gabriel is in custody in Phoenix on a $100,000 bail warrant, and is awaiting extradition to San Diego.