Esteban Parra

The News Journal

Police have identified a man they said tried to abduct two women in Newark late Sunday and early Monday, once by putting a rag saturated with a chemical over the victim's mouth.

Newark police have issued an arrest warrant for 35-year Joseph B. Rudge charging him with multiple crimes related to the attempted abductions.

"Rudge is currently at large and considered homeless," said Lt. Bill Hargrove, a police spokesman. "It is believed that he is still in Newark and could be frequenting Main Street."

The first attempt was about 11:20 p.m. on Sunday at the Colonial Gardens Apartments in the 300 block of E. Main St., according to police.

A 28-year-old University of Delaware student was unloading her car, and as she was leaving the building to make another trip to the car, the man grabbed her from behind and tried to put the chemical-soaked rag over her mouth, police said.

STORY: 2 attempted abductions reported in Newark

VIDEO: Newark police release additional footage of attempted abduction suspect

He tried to force her outside, but she fought him off and he ran away, police said.

About four hours later, early Monday, he tried to abduct a woman from a neighboring apartment complex, Main Towers, police said. There, he grabbed the neck and mouth of a 61-year-old woman from behind and tried to push her into her car. She fought him off and he ran away, police said.

Both victims declined medical attention.

After releasing surveillance video to the press and social media outlets, Hargrove said Newark police received a tip that Rudge fit the description of the person seen on the video. Through an exhaustive investigation, including serving a search warrant at his last known address, detectives were able to identify Rudge and obtain an arrest warrant.

He faces the following charges: two counts of second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted carjacking, attempted theft of a victim older than 62 years of age, failure to re-register as a sex offender, attempted theft and offensive touching.

If Rudge is seen, Hargrove said 911 should be called immediately and no attempt to apprehend him on their own should be made.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.