‘I thought a woman was getting murdered:’ Neighbors intervene during attack in NJ neighborhood

WESTVILLE, New Jersey (WPVI) — A Gloucester County man is in custody after police say he attacked and tried to strangle a girl strolling down a road in Westville, New Jersey.

Nicole Rimel was at dwelling on Cedar Avenue round 8:30 p.m. Thursday when she heard screaming.

“I ran to my door as a result of I may hear it exterior. She was working proper right here down the road and the person was chasing her,” mentioned Rimel.

Rimel mentioned the lady was knocking at a door for assist, so she known as 911.

Police mentioned the person got here up behind the lady, grabbed her and tried to strangle her. Police imagine the person and lady didn’t know one another.

“We have been all like, what’s that? The screams, I imply I assumed a girl was getting murdered exterior my home,” mentioned Rimel.

Rimel’s husband and a number of other different neighbors went exterior, which resulted in a battle.

Neighbor Sheri Hogan mentioned she tried to intervene and the person struck her within the head.

“I requested him properly, very calmly. I mentioned, ‘What is the matter, hun?’ And he slapped me on the pinnacle. Flat on the highest of my head.”

Finally, the suspect fled on foot.

Police say they responded inside minutes and arrested Andre Graig, 43, of Westville, who was charged with aggravated assault, legal restraint and false imprisonment.

He is locked up within the Salem County Jail.

“I imply, the neighbors did a extremely good job and probably saved her life,” mentioned Deputy Chief Mike Packer.

Whereas neighbors have been relieved to listen to about an arrest, the incident remains to be unnerving.

“It is good to know that they caught the man. I simply really feel sorry for the woman that was attacked,” mentioned Crystal McCullough, who lives one block away.

Police say that lady is bodily okay, and are nonetheless investigating and searching for surveillance video from the world.

Police ask if anybody has had any encounters with Graig prior to now to contact them.

Motion Information was unsuccessful find info on an legal professional for Graig.