A Lawrence man was arrested and charged after allegedly trying to force his way into a woman's car and attempting to kidnap her, according to Methuen Police.
Police said they responded to the area of the Market Basket on Haverhill Street for a report of the attempted carjacking.
“To be honest, like I sometimes I have come here and had to look around because I’m afraid," Methuen resident Betty Delacruz said.
Responding officers spoke to a woman, who told police she was in her car with the door closed when a man, later identified as 53-year-old Rafael Rosario, allegedly tried to force his way into her car without permission.
"The actions he was doing was trying to prevent the woman from exiting the vehicle, so it’s out opinion that his motive was to take the vehicle and the woman," Methuen Police Captain Kristopher McCarthy said
Rosario allegedly grabbed her by the throat and pushed her further into the vehicle, before the woman started to scream for help and beep the car's horn to alert others in the area.
"The victim did all the right things," McCarthy said. "She was blowing the horn, a busy Friday night in a very busy plaza, so she started blowing and yelling for help. With what is going on in the terrible situations in Boston, this woman did the right thing, ”
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Jay Sarcione, who said he was stopping by the store for a Redbox rental and snacks, pulled into the parking space across from the woman's car in a pickup truck, and allegedly saw the incident and went over to help.
"She was being choked and her head pushed to the side," Sarcione said. "So I got out, saw that it was real, started approaching the car, the guy took off on foot. The woman was screaming. I said , 'Call the police, call the police.' Then, I chased after the guy."
Rosario allegedly left the woman's car and ran across the parking lot towards Hobson Street, and Sarcione told the victim to call 911 before briefly chasing Rosario and stopping to wait for police.
"I started getting real close and I was screaming at him and he turned around," Sarcione said. "The street was real dark, but he started going like this to me [waving his hand]."
Officers searched in the area of Hobson Street and allegedly found Rosario lying in the snow along a fence in the back corner of a property before placing him under arrest.
“I would like to commend the brave citizen who witnessed this incident and sprang into action to help,” Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon said. “However, chasing after a suspect is something that can be extremely dangerous and we ask all residents that find themselves in an emergency to call 911 and let our officers take over from there.”
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The victim declined medical treatment from Methuen Fire Department EMTs who responded to the parking lot.
“We are all very glad to hear that the victim in this case was not seriously injured," Mayor James Jajuga said. "Incidents like this should serve as a reminder for everyone to be mindful of your surroundings, even in a busy parking lot.”
Rosario is expected to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court Monday. He faces several charges, including attempted kidnapping and assault and battery.