A man armed with a knife and hatchet attacked two women early Friday morning as they investigated misplaced items in their back yard, said Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow. The seemly random and unprompted attack occurred just before 6:00a.m. at 215 Longview Road.
According to the investigation, the women noticed several items from their shed strewn around the back yard. When the women went into the yard to investigate and approached the shed, a man later identified as Morgan Mesz, 25, of 356 Nottingham Way in Union Township emerged and stabbed both women several times.
A neighbor, Hernan Agudelo, 33, heard the attack and ran into his neighbor’s yard and was able to subdue the attacker, said Romankow. Agudelo suffered several non-life threatening stab wounds in the altercation, received treatment at a local hospital and was later released.
“This act of selflessness and bravery is commendable,” said Romankow. “Without Mr. Agudelo’s brave actions this situation could have been much worse.”
The victims were taken to University Hospital in Newark. The first, a 53-year-old woman is currently listed in critical condition. The second, 50-year-old woman was undergoing surgery for her wounds as of this afternoon.
Members of the Prosecutor’s Office and Union Township Police Department continue to examine evidence and gather statements. A motive for the attack has not yet been established.
Mesz was also taken to University Hospital for injuries and is currently in police custody.
Bail information is pending.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.