Palm Harbor Attack Suspect Crashes in Tarpon Springs

A 29-year-old Dunedin man remained behind bars Tuesday after break in and attempted sexual assault that ended when his intended victim successfully fought him off.

The incident unfolded in the early morning hours Monday when a man let himself into a 52-year-old woman’s Palm Harbor home through an unlocked door. The woman “felt someone watching her and when she opened her eyes saw the intruder in her bedroom doorway,” an email to media from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

The man, who was wearing a ninja mask, jumped on the woman’s bed and tried to pin her down. The woman, however, rolled away and struggled with the man. While he was able to get a zip tie on one of her wrists, she continued to fight back until the attacker fled the home.

Deputies say the man took off in his car, but crashed it into a sewer drain along Whispering Way in Tarpon Springs. With his car disabled, the man got out and walked a short distance away. At this point, deputies began to receive reports of a suspicious person in the neighborhood.

The man who would later admit to the Palm Harbor attack, was arrested shortly after the crash in Tarpon Springs on loitering and prowling charges, the sheriff’s office said.

While deputies were sorting the car crash and loitering issues, the Palm Harbor attack victim, who is not being identified by police, called 911.

“Detectives were able to connect the incidents after they discovered a ninja mask along with gloves, zip ties and duct tape in a nearby trash bin; and located a Walmart receipt in the suspect’s vehicle for items to include a hammer, a costume, gloves and ties,” the email stated.

Nick James Nardelli admitted to the attack and told deputies he fantasized about raping the victim. Deputies say he did not know the woman, but targeted her for the attack.

Nardelli was charged with loitering and prowling, burglary and battery, false imprisonment, attempted sexual battery and possession of burglary tools. He was being held in the Pinellas County Jail Tuesday in lieu of $175,250 bond.

Photo Credit: Nick James Nardelli/Pinellas County Jail