Owner of popular Athens bars arrested on rape, kidnapping charges

ATHENS, Ga. — A young woman says she was sexually assaulted at a popular Athens bar, by the bar’s owner.

The alleged attack happened at Hedges, near the University of Georgia campus. It’s one of the most popular bars in town among college students. The bar is now the scene of criminal investigation into an alleged rape.

“It's pretty disgusting, honestly. It's pretty scary 'cause I know a lot of people, especially young girls, that go in there,” college student Cole Harper said.

The young woman told police that David Ippisch, 38, who owns the bar, attacked her inside the bar late Saturday night.

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About 3:15 a.m., we took a report from a 21-year-old female indicating she had been sexually assaulted at the Hedges bar," said Officer Geoffrey Gilland, with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

“The alleged assault happened somewhere in the bar. I don't have any information at the exact location.”

Ippisch is facing charges that include kidnapping, rape, battery and sexual battery.

“It makes you think about safety and things like that, if the owner of the bar is going to do something like that. Pretty scary," student Taylor Maggiore said.

Police said the woman accusing Ippisch is not a UGA student.

Ippisch is waiting on a bond hearing. Police said any potential witnesses who were at the bar Saturday night can contact them.

Cox Media Group