WARSAW — A Warsaw man who hid inside a woman’s car in the parking lot of a local drug store and attacked her last year could serve at least 20 years in prison.

Daniel V. Davis

Daniel Vincent Davis, Warsaw, pleaded guilty to criminal confinement, a level 2 felony and attempted robbery, a level 3 felony in Superior Court 1 on Thursday, April 5.

According to police, Davis was observed asking for a ride in the Warsaw CVS parking lot on March 20, 2017, before being asked to leave by a manager. Davis later hid in the back seat of a woman’s car and when she got into her vehicle and noticed him in the back seat, she tried to escape but was grabbed by Davis, police said.

The victim bit Davis on the hand, exited the vehicle and ran for help inside the store. Police located Davis, intoxicated and armed with a screwdriver within a block of the store. He told police he’d planned to rob the woman and steal her car.

Last month Davis pleaded guilty to criminal confinement and attempted burglary.

“[The event] is probably the embodiment of terror for any of us,” said Karin McGrath who represented the prosecution. “She told me she can’t even let her dog out at night after what happened. But, the way she behaved that day was nothing short of amazing.”

When police found Davis shortly after the incident, he was bearing the wound caused by the victim biting his hand.

Matt Buehler, the attorney representing Davis said the accused has a noted history of alcohol abuse including four prior alcohol-related convictions.

“That is certainly not to suggest alcohol is the reason for the events, but that it certainly was a contributing factor,” said Buehler. Buehler added that from the early moments following the incident up until the present, Davis had been fully compliant with law enforcement and other authorities. “But, Mr. Davis made a terrible series of decisions that day that led us to this point.”

Davis agreed. “What I did was unacceptable, it was wrong. I am so sorry and ashamed,” he said.

While Davis said he hoped to one day be forgiven for his actions, Judge David Cates said that would not be coming from the bench.

“Mr. Davis, forgiveness is above my pay grade,” Cates said. The judge also commented on claims of remorse by the defense and by Davis himself, “which I believe is there,” he said. Cates told the courtroom that for Davis, the aggravators outweighed the mitigators and that consequences “cannot be undone because of your choices.”

Cates gave Davis 380 days of jail time credit and sentenced him to 20 years for criminal confinement and nine years for attempted burglary. The sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time.