Suspect in Methuen Market Basket attempted kidnapping held without bail

LAWRENCE, Mass. — A Lawrence man accused of trying to kidnap a woman at a Market Basket parking lot in Methuen faced a judge on Monday.

Rafael Ramon Rosario, 53, of Lawrence was arraigned on a number of charges including strangulation, attempted kidnapping and carjacking, among others. He plead not guilty and is being held without bail.

Police responded to the grocery store on Haverhill Street just before 8 p.m. on Friday for a reports of an attempted carjacking.

At the scene, the distraught victim told police she had been sitting in her car with the door closed when a man allegedly forced his way in, grabber her by the throat and pushed her further into her car.

The victim then fought back, honking her horn and yelling for help.

According to police, her attempts to call attention worked after a witness, who had just pulled into the spot across from her car, rushed over to help.

Police say at that point the suspect ran away from the car as the witness tried to chase him down as the victim called 911.

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Not too long after, police found Rosario and arrested him.

"This woman did the right thing, [she] yelled, beeped the horn and fought the man the best she could and it worked out great in the end and the gentleman who assisted her did amazing as well," said Methuen Police Captain Kristopher McCarthy.

Cox Media Group