HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ – A Lakewood man who was treated on Thursday at Monmouth Medical Center, formerly Kimball Medical Center, tracked down his nurse and showed up at her home in Howell Township unexpectedly on Friday. After gaining access to her home, the man attempted to kidnap the woman, claiming she was his wife. If she didn’t comply, he would kill her mother, he told the nurse.
Here’s what the Howell Township Police said about this incident:
On Friday afternoon at approximately 3:30 pm Howell Police Communications received multiple 9-1–1 calls reporting a disturbance at a residence on Newton’s Corner Road in the Ramtown section of Howell. Upon patrol arrival, they were met by a female who displayed signs of a violent assault. Her clothing was torn, she was bleeding while holding ice to her face. The victim, who is a registered nurse at Monmouth Medical Center – Kimball in Lakewood stated the suspect was a patient she had seen the previous night.
A suspect description was broadcasted and within minutes Sgt. Bondarew with his K9 partner Vito located the suspect. He was taken into custody without resistance. Back at the scene, the victim explained she heard a knocking on the door. As she went downstairs, her 64-year-old mother had already let the suspect inside. The victim immediately noticed it was a male she had admitted the previous evening and demanded he left. The suspect refused. He then assaulted her mother then went after the victim. Meanwhile the victim’s friend who was upstairs heard the assault and called 9-1-1 but didn’t know the house number. Howell police officers were en route to the area where the cell call was made.
Downstairs, the assault was violent. The suspect claimed the victim was his wife and demanded she come with him or he would kill her mother. The victim grabbed a knife from the kitchen and attempted to defend herself by stabbing the suspect. The suspect was able to avoid being stabbed but continued to punch and choke the victim.
Finally, after the victim refused to quit, the suspect left the residence. Neighbors heard the commotion and called 9-1-1.
The suspect is 37-year-old Leonardo Larrarte of Lakewood. Larrarte was subsequently charged with 1st degree attempted kidnapping, 2nd-degree burglary, 3rd-degree terroristic threats, 4th-degree possession of synthetic marijuana and simple assault. After processing, Larrarte was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution where he will be held pending a hearing. At this time, it is not known how Larrarte found where the victim lived. He did provide a statement implicating himself. We seized his two cellphones as part of the investigation. Howell Police has the technology to analyze cellphones. The victim and her mother were treated and released from the hospital.
“Our homes are our sanctuary. A place that should always be safe. No one should have to go through such a traumatic, life-altering incident such as this. Fortunately, she fought back and refused to quit. As a result she survived. Predators such as Larrarte should never be allowed to see another day of freedom to victimize another innocent person,” said Howell Township Police Chief Kudrick.