Preble County Sheriff’s deputies on Sunday morning arrested 39-year-old Willie Asher, who was wanted on charges that included rape and unlawful restraint.

Asher led deputies on a short chase, according to Sheriff Mike Simpson, who added that he was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Eaton plus additional charges.

Simpson told News Center 7’s Mark Bruce a formal release will be issued on Monday.

The case against Willie Asher, which so far has peaked following an allegation of domestic violence on Dec. 23, has been building since last fall as the Eaton Police Division had been looking into reports that Asher had continuously violated a protection order involving his wife, Police Chief Chad DePew said.

On Jan. 9, DePew said the police division was in the process of obtaining a third arrest warrant for Asher on charges of rape, breaking and entering, and unlawful restraint stemming from the incident in December.

At 2:42 a.m. that day, Eaton police received a 911 call from the teen daughter of Asher and his wife. In the call, she said Asher was in the house on East Mechanic Street and being violent with her mom.

Asher had fled by the time officers arrived, DePew said. The division’s canine team unsuccessfully attempted a track to find Asher but impounded his empty car, found in the 100 block of East Eidson Street.

His wife told police her husband had forced his way into the home, held her there while armed with a knife, then raped her.

Since Sept. 25, the police division has taken nine reports accusing Asher of violating the protection his wife has against him. They have been separated four months.

The protection order was granted because of violent behavior Asher began to exhibit toward his wife, DePew said.

The third arrest warrant would be in addition to one misdemeanor and a separate felony arrest warrant accusing Asher of violating the protection order multiple times and for stalking his wife.