Winder restaurant owner arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping employee

By Joe Johnson

The Winder Police Department has arrested a local restaurant owner for allegedly kidnapping and raping an employee.

Daniel Barrios Catalan, 46, manager and co-owner of Latin Flavors on East Athens Street is accused of kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old employee after providing her with alcohol following her shift.

A mandated reporter at the local hospital reported the alleged assault to WPD when the victim came in for treatment.

The investigation revealed that Catalan provided the victim with alcohol at the restaurant on the night of March 1st and took her to a private area of the restaurant, later driving her the victim to his home in Winder early the next morning.

At one point, the victim became so heavily impaired that she lost consciousness.

Catalan was booked into the Barrow County Jail on March 7.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Barrow County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.