NORWALK, Ohio (WJW) – Authorities in Norwalk have reported a disturbing incident in which a hotel employee was violently assaulted by a guest, mere days after he had checked into the establishment.
The guest in question, identified as 33-year-old Eric Carroll, is now back behind bars. He is facing a series of serious charges, including attempted kidnapping, as a result of the incident.
The assault took place shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Econo Lodge located on Milan Avenue in Norwalk.
The hotel manager was alerted to the situation when a member of the housekeeping staff approached him in distress, claiming that “there was violence,” before fleeing out of fear. Consequently, the manager contacted 911 to report the incident.
“Our officers responded and spoke with other guests at the hotel and learned that a struggle had occurred in the room,” said detective sergeant Scott Hamernik with Norwalk police.
Hotel guests also reported seeing a man flee from the same room.
Surveillance video later showed Carroll entering the room. Moments later, screams could be heard.
The employee was seen escaping the room and running in one direction, while the suspect ran the opposite way.
“In the video, you see Mr. Carroll attempt to gain entry into the hotel room by shaking the door handle. When it doesn’t open, he just waits there until she opens the door and then he forces his way in. The door shuts and you hear all this screaming,” Hamernik said.
Initially not knowing who they were looking for, police said the investigation quickly escalated.
A search warrant was executed and evidence from the hotel room, including paperwork, led police to identify Carroll as the suspect.
But, that wasn’t the end.
A short time later, officers located Carroll after he crashed a stolen vehicle just blocks from the hotel.
He was immediately taken into custody and police said he was intoxicated at the time of the arrest.
“When he came into the hotel, he said he wants a room and I said, ‘OK, give me your ID.’ He said, ‘I don’t have an ID, I’m coming straight from prison,’” Hotel clerk Kabeel Khan said.
The hotel clerk said Carroll checked into the hotel two days earlier and admitted that he had just been released after serving 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
He said he had no ID and paid with cash. The hotel clerk said he now regrets allowing him to stay.
“I trusted him … he turned out to be the same whole person he was in the jail — a criminal,” Khan said.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was recently hired as an on-call employee. She was treated at the hospital and released for non-life-threatening injuries.
Carroll is now in the Huron County jail, held without bond and facing multiple felony charges, including abduction, strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle. More charges could be filed.
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