Man Arrested For Allegedly Stalking Women In Howell Township, N.J.
HOWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey man faced a slew of charges Saturday after he allegedly stalked two women in Howell Township.
Police said 19-year-old Tristan Reyes followed the victims home from various stores in a black minivan.
An 18-year-old woman said her father tried to confront Reyes in February after he appeared to be following her, but he sped off.
Then on Thursday, he allegedly tried to sneak into Nancy Hanlon's house but was scared off by her Rottweiler.
"I just had this uneasy feeling that something wasn't right," Hanlon told CBS2's Dave Carlin.
She said she didn't notice the minivan behind her vehicle while driving home, but later saw it in her neighbor's driveway and thought it didn't belong. Then, she briefly saw a man, caught on video by her home security system.
"I saw the hood of a person get into the vehicle and then they sped away very quickly," she said.
Surveillance video shows a man creeping around, crouching and watching – seemingly poised to enter the house, Carlin reported.
"What if I didn't open that laundry room door and my dog did not have the capability to run freely outside like he did?" she wondered. "He is my hero. He's definitely getting an enormous amount of love and special treats."
Howell Township police said Reyes had been planning to rob the women at knifepoint and they believe he's followed other women, likely from stores in Freehold Raceway Mall, back to their vehicles.
"We have reason to believe that there may be more victims in the area," Det. Sgt. Christian Antunez told Carlin.
Police praised both women for following their instincts and said anytime you suspect you're being followed, do not go directly home.
"Don't stop. Call the local police department, call 911, have an officer catch up with you," said Antunez.
If you believe you have been a victim, or have information pertaining to these cases, please contact either Howell Police Detective Corporal Nancy Carroll at (732) 938-4575 ext. 2182 or (732) 938-4111 and ask to speak to the Officer-In-Charge.
