AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Five people were arrested Thursday morning after police found a woman handcuffed to a piece of exercise equipment outside a southeast Austin home.

According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to a "check welfare urgent" call at 1700 Bitter Creek Drive shortly after 9 a.m. on Thursday. The call reported that there was a woman in distress who "appeared to be restrained and calling for help," according to a release from APD.

APD said when police found the woman, she had "signs of physical distress" and had visible injuries that were "consistent with prolonged restraint."

APD immediately worked to free her, and due to the condition of the restraints, had to cut through "heavy metal links" to safely release her. APD requested help from the Austin Fire Depart

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