Authorities searching for manwho attacked pregnant ex-girlfriend in police parking lot
Federal and local authorities are searching for aMacomb Countymanwho they say attacked his pregnant ex-girlfriend and used a box cutter to slit her throat in the parking lot of the ClintonTownship Police Department.
Investigators say Kevin Lee VanAelst is a known drug user with an extensive criminal history and appears tohavemental health issues. They describe him as “ruthless” and “extremely dangerous.”
“We were trying to keep it quietwhilewe looking for him, but he’s nowhere to be found,” said Clinton Township police Capt. Richard Maierle. “Now theU.S. Marshals are on the case and we’re all trying to find him.”
Authorities said the incident took place about 9 p.m. Oct. 9 as his former girlfriend, who is 22 months pregnant with his child, drove to the police department on Groesbeck Highway north ofMetro Parkway to talk to police. She had just obtained a personal protection order against VanAelst.
“She was coming to the police station to have the PPO served on him,” Maierle said. “When she pulled into the parking lot, he appeared out of nowhere and sliced her neck with a box cutter.”
Investigators said VanAelst pulled the woman’s car open and announced “I told you I was coming for you” before slicing her neck. He then fled.
The woman staggered into the lobby of the police department to seek help. She was rushed toMcLaren Macombhospital, where she received several stiches and was released. Her injuries were said to be non-lifethreatening.
The two had been dating for about two months before she broke off the relationship earlier this year.
VanAelst, who police say is addicted to crystal meth, also has threatened to kill his mother, who lives on 14 Mile Road, and other relatives.
He drives a black F-150 with a license plate of EGK6770, but may have ditched the plate. He also has relatives in other states, and police say it’s possible he may be headed to Virginia.
In Michigan, VanAelst was arrested for stealing a car and home invasion in the 1990s in Kent County and discharged in 2007, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. A few months after being released, he was arrested again for home invasion in Van Buren County and sentenced to 2-15 years in prison.
He was discharged in
January.
VanAelst also has convictions in other states, police said.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to call the U.S. Marshals Service for the Eastern District of Michigan at 313-234-5600 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-Speak-up.