RCMP have arrested a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after a 22-year-old woman was viciously beaten during a 12-hour ordeal in Penticton, B.C., last weekend.

David Wesley Bobbitt was taken into custody late Wednesday in the town of Osoyoos, about 50 kilometres south of Penticton, RCMP said.

Bobbitt allegedly tied up and beat the young mother after she entered the accused's second-hand store in the Okanagan city Saturday to purchase a bed.

The woman's two-year-old son was present during the ordeal, but was not physically harmed, police said.

Bobbitt, 35, was charged with attempted murder while still at large.

Victim recovers in hospital

The victim's estranged spouse said Wednesday the woman is recovering and could soon be released from hospital.

"She's recouping really well," said the man, who cannot be identified to protect the woman's identity. "She told me to be strong and told me not to worry as much. Just shows how much strength and courage she actually does have in this whole situation."

Bobbitt does not own a car and had few resources, so police thought it possible he had not gotten far from Penticton.

The fact that he was at large for four days had many local residents feeling anxious.

"I locked my doors and windows for the first time in months," said Avril Balentine. "All my friends and I are talking about it. It's just disgusting. I just can't believe it. I'm really apprehensive about everything right now."