Police in Newark, Delaware arrested a homeless man accused of trying to abduct two women over the 4th of July weekend.
Police obtained warrants for 35-year-old Joseph Rudge and accused him of attempted kidnapping and attempted carjacking.
Investigators say the first attempt occurred Sunday night at an apartment complex. Police say Rudge grabbed a 28-year-old University of Delaware student from behind and put a chemical-soaked rag over her mouth as she went to her car. The woman fought him off and ran away, officials said.
The second attempt occurred early Monday at a neighboring apartment complex, according to investigators. Police say the man grabbed the neck and mouth of a 61-year-old woman and tried to push her into her car but she also fought him off and ran away.
Police say they obtained many tips on Rudge’s location and were able to find him on the 1200 block of North Claymont Street in Wilmington. The Newark Police SWAT team took him into custody without incident.
Rudge is charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted carjacking, attempted theft, failure to re-register as a sex offender and other related offenses. He was arraigned and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institute in lieu of $48,700 secured bond.
