Howell Man Planned To Rape, Rob Women He Followed: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD, NJ – A Howell Township man has been indicted on charges he followed women home from stores with the intent of robbing and raping them, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Friday.

Tristan Reyes, 19, was named in the 13-count indictment handed up by a Monmouth County grand jury in connection with three incidents in February and March 2018 where he followed the women, Gramiccioni said.

During those incidents, Reyes observed three separate women shopping in local stores and drove behind them, following them to their homes, Gramiccioni said. Subsequent police investigation revealed that Reyes planned to rob and sexually assault two of the women while armed with a knife, but that his efforts were thwarted.

One of the incidents was captured in a chilling videofrom surveillance cameras at the home of one of the women. The video, which is no longer public on the Facebook page of the woman's husband, showed her arriving home and a minivan pulling up not far from her driveway. As the woman began unloading groceries from her car, a man is seen sneaking up the driveway and across the grass in an attempt to stay hidden from the open garage door. Only when the family's dog comes out and starts to bark does the man take off.

The video spread like wildfire on social media, and Reyes was arrested the following day by Howell Township police.

Reyes is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted armed robbery; four counts of first-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault; two counts of second-degree attempted burglary; two counts of third-degree possession of a weapon (knife) for an unlawful purpose; two counts of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (knife), and one count of third-degree attempted burglary.

He could face up to 20 years in prison on each of the most serious counts if convicted.

Reyes is being held at the Monmouth County jail, where he has been held since his arrest on March 9.

Tristan Reyes, photo via Howell Township police