Suspect in throat-slitting nabbed
The search for aMacomb Countyman wanted for assault with intent to murder came to an end over the weekend about 390 miles away in West Virginia.
Kevin Lee VanAelst was taken into custody outside of a homeless shelter in Charleston on Saturday morning, according to Clinton Township police.
“We had developed some information that indicated he has some family ties in Charleston,” police Capt. Richard Maierle said Sunday. “The U.S. Marshals found his car near a homeless shelter and watched it until he came out.”
According to WSAZ-TV (Channel 3) in Huntington, W. Va., investigators located the suspect’s vehicle parked on Virginia Street about 8 a.m. Saturday.
While policewerewatching the car, VanAelst, 45, was found and arrested without incident. He was taken to the South Central Regional Jail.
VanAelsthad been on the run for the past week after he was accused of slitting the throat of his pregnant former girlfriend outside of the Clinton Township Police Department on Groesbeck Highway.
Investigators say the woman was attacked Oct. 9 in the parking lot of the police station, where she had gone to file a personal protection order against VanAelst.
The woman, who police say is pregnant with VanAelst’s child, was exiting her car when he confronted her, pulled out a box cutter and sliced her neck, according to police.
The woman staggered into the lobby of the police department to seek help. She was rushed to McLaren Macomb hospital, where she received several stiches and was released. Her injuries were said to be nonlife-threatening.
Investigators say the 45-year-old VanAelst is a known drug user who is addicted to crystal methamphetamine and has an extensive criminal history. They describe him as “ruthless” and “extremely dangerous.” He also had been accused of threatening the lives of some of his family members, including his mother, police said.
“With his drug addiction, this could have been a lot worse,” Maierle said.
Clinton Township police worked with the U.S. Marshals Service branch in Detroit, which contacted their counterparts in Charleston. The Charleston branch worked with state and local police to search for the suspect.
Today, police plan to initiate extradition proceedings to bring VanAelst back to Michigan to face charges.