Alleged domestic violence victim flees her boyfriend's truck and hides in the woods

On 04-02-2016 at approximately 11:21 PM Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a reported domestic violence incident in the 38000 block of Old Stage Road in Gualala, California.

While responding, Deputies were advised a female adult involved in the incident had relocated to a different location in Gualala.

Deputies contacted the female adult and learned she and her cohabitating boyfriend, Justin Nichols, had been involved in a domestic violence incident.

Nichols reportedly became angry after discovering his dog was missing and blamed the female adult.  Nichols directed the female adult to get into his truck and the pair drove around looking for the dog. While looking for the dog, Nichols grabbed the female adult by her face, squeezing it resulting in pain and injury.

When Nichols stopped the truck, the female adult exited the vehicle and hid in the woods until a passing motorist approached.  The female adult summoned assistance from the motorist and subsequently called law-enforcement to report the incident.

Deputies observed some blood, several abrasions and visible bruises to the female adult's face.

Deputies located Nichols and subsequently arrested him in regards to the incident.

Nichols was booked into the Mendocino County Jail for felony domestic violence battery and was to be held in lieu of $25,000.00 bail.