Here's the official release from the Dubuque Police Department regarding an assault recently in Dubuque.

On 3/17/18 at approximately 2:14 PM, the Dubuque Police Department responded to Finley Hospital for the report of an assault.  The investigation determined that Lonnie Lee Vandamme Jr, 43, of Dubuque, assaulted his 38-year-old live-in girlfriend, over the course of two days starting on the night of March 14th.

The assault began when Vandamme grabbed the victim by the hair and drug her into the apartment when she tried to leave.  Vandamme struck her with his fist and then handcuffed her hands behind her back. Vandamme used a small torch and burned the victim on both of her legs and vaginal area.  Vandamme also covered her mouth and wrapped duct tape around her head.

The victim reported Vandamme tried dragging her outside the apartment while saying that he was going to throw her into the Mississippi.

The victim was assaulted by Vandamme from 3/14/18 thru 3/15/18 and reported that in addition to being struck by Vandamme's fist, he also struck her multiple times with a bat.  The victim reports Vandamme held a silver switch blade up to her multiple times and threatened to cut her.  The victim also reported that Vandamme threatened to kill her throughout the incident.

The victim eventually convinced Vandamme to take her to the hospital and police were called.  The victim suffered multiple burn injuries, a broken right eye socket, a broken rib, and bruising to her entire body.

Vandamme was located by officers at his residence.  Investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and located additional evidence.  Vandamme was arrested and was initially charged with Domestic Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, Assault while Participating in a Felony, and False Imprisonment.  The Dubuque County Attorney’s Office is also considering filing charges of Kidnapping 1st Degree and Sexual Abuse 1st Degree on this case.

If you have any information on this incident or others, please call the Dubuque Police Department at 563-589-4415 or Crime Stoppers at 800-747-0117 or 563-588-0714 (if the information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000). You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.cityofdubuque.org/police or through the MyDBQ smartphone app available at www.cityofdubuque.org/MyDBQ.

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