Man accused of trying to kidnap nurse after psych evaluation
HOWELL, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey man who was arrested and sent for a psych evaluation last week tracked down a nurse from the medical center he was at and assaulted her before she was able to fight him off, police said.
An officer and his police dog found Leonardo Larrarte, 37, after the alleged attack Friday and arrested him. He is charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary, NJ.com reported Monday.
His arrest came less than a day after Larrarte was arrested by Lakewood police for an altercation he had with his roommate, Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said.
The Lakewood resident was then sent to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus for a psych evaluation where he had a brief interaction with the nurse he would later go on to track down, Kudrick said.
Upon his release, Kudrick said Larrarte walked 6 miles from his residence to the nurse's home in the Ramtown section of Howell where he proceeded to attack the caregiver's 64-year-old mother before punching and choking the nurse.
Larrarte ran away after the victim fought him off, Kudrick said.
“Our homes are our sanctuary. A place that should always be safe,” Kudrick said in a statement. “No one should have to go through such a traumatic, life-altering incident such as this."
Officials do not know how Larrarte found the nurse's address.
In addition to attempted kidnapping and burglary, Larrarte was charged with making terroristic threats, simple assault and possession of synthetic marijuana.
The nurse and her mother were treated at a nearby hospital and released shortly after.
It could not be determined as of Tuesday afternoon if Larrarte had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
He will remain at the Monmouth County jail until his next court hearing.