SAN DIEGO -- A documented gang member accused of beating and choking his girlfriend and holding her and her children hostage at their East County home on Thanksgiving was arrested Tuesday afternoon.

Responding to an anonymous tip from a member of the public who had seen a news report about the case, San Diego police found 37-year-old Francisco Enrique "Capone" McCrary hiding in a garage at a home on Burton Street in Linda Vista shortly before 2:30 p.m., SDPD Detective Gary Hassen said.

McCrary was taken to the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station for questioning. He was expected to be booked into county jail tuesday night on charges of spousal abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, willful child cruelty and dissuading a witness from filing a crime report.

McCrary allegedly attacked the mother of his 5-year-old son at her Rancho San Diego home early Thursday morning, punching her and choking her until she blacked out.

When the 29-year-old victim regained consciousness, McCrary held her, their son and her two other minor children in the residence against their will and prevented them from calling for help, said Detective Pete Carrillo of the sheriff's Domestic Violence Unit.

McCrary, who belongs to a Linda Vista-area gang, eventually forced the woman to drive him to a La Mesa trolley stop, after which he let her go, according to Carrillo.

She was treated at Sharp Grossmont Hospital for serious injuries she suffered in the assault, the sheriff's detective said.