Kent’s husband reportedly attacks his wife in the hotel parking lot

Kent police arrested a 39-year-old man on investigation of attempted kidnapping and domestic violence after he allegedly attacked his wife with metal bars in a hotel parking lot and attempted to drag her to his vehicle.

According to a Sept. 30 dispatch from Kent Police, on Friday, Sept. 27, at approximately 6:24 p.m., officers responded to 911 calls at the Quality Inn in the 1700 block of West Meeker Street about a man attacking a woman in the parking lot had released. The callers said the man drove off in a red Toyota Camry and provided the vehicle’s license plate number.

An officer quickly arrived and contacted a 36-year-old woman from Kent and several bystanders. While the woman was being treated by Puget Sound Fire personnel, police said they learned she had been arguing with her husband. She left her home to avoid further attacks and stayed in a hotel.

But the husband spotted her in the hotel parking lot, reportedly ran toward her with two metal bars and hit her in the shin. He then allegedly grabbed her clothing and hair and began dragging her toward his vehicle. She stated that he struck her several times with a metal rod and his hands while yelling at her to get into the vehicle.

Bystanders in the parking lot yelled at the suspect and approached the woman to prevent the husband from taking her. According to police, the company provided video evidence of the crime, which reportedly corroborated the woman and the witness about details of the assault and kidnapping attempt.

Another officer was en route to the call as he drove a red Toyota Camry (with the license plate listed) east on West Meeker Street. He stated that the vehicle quickly stopped and the sole occupant began to exit the driver’s side. Two other officers arrived to assist and the man was arrested without further incident. The man reportedly gave a description of the incident that did not match the description given by the victim or witnesses. His version also did not match the surveillance video.

The metal bars were reportedly located in the man’s vehicle and were clearly visible through the window. The car was sealed and towed until a search warrant was obtained to seize the poles.

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene and she did not need to be hospitalized. Officers contacted a representative from Project Be Free, who spoke with the woman about assisting her with services.

“A big thank you to the bystanders who didn’t just stand idly by,” said a police statement. “Your actions undoubtedly protected this victim from further assault.”

Domestic Violence Resources

• Women Against Domestic Violence Network: Dawnrising.org

• Project Be Free: project-be-free.com