Palo Brea Woman Uses Pepper Spray to Break Free from ‘Unlawful Imprisonment’

If ever a situation highlighted the importance of carrying pepper spray, this was it. Late Monday evening, officers from the Maricopa Police Department responded to a distress call at a residence on Palo Cedro Road in Palo Brea. Upon arrival, they discovered a woman who had sustained injuries and was visibly bleeding.

The victim reported that her boyfriend, Nathan Andrew Prince, age 36, had physically assaulted her while keeping her confined in a vehicle. She detailed how he punched her in the face and caused abrasions on her arm.

In a previous legal matter, Prince faced a lawsuit from the Palo Brea Homeowners Association. A judge had ruled against him for failing to appear in court, resulting in a foreclosure order on his property in December.

Conversely, Prince provided a conflicting account to the officers, claiming that the couple had argued while driving home from a bowling alley. He alleged that she initiated the physical confrontation by striking him first, prompting him to retaliate and cause her injury. His narrative took a turn as he stated that she pepper-sprayed him without provocation.

However, the police officers determined that the woman had used the pepper spray in self-defense. According to their investigation, she was unlawfully restrained, and it was only after she managed to escape to a relative’s home that the authorities were alerted.

Reportedly, Prince displayed symptoms consistent with being pepper-sprayed; his eyes were red and swollen, and his right hand bore marks indicative of a physical altercation. Notably, officers found no injuries on Prince’s face despite his claims of being struck multiple times.

As a result, Prince was arrested and is now facing charges of aggravated assault and unlawful imprisonment. If convicted on both counts, he could spend up to 13 years in prison.

For individuals experiencing domestic violence in Maricopa, resources are available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).