Mount Pleasant man charged with attempted kidnapping, assault and battery

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A four-month-long investigation into an assault and battery and attempted kidnapping case led to felony charges against Nicholas Antonio Villarrel.

Villarreal, a 21-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, now faces a felony charge of attempted kidnapping, which could get him life in prison and a $50,000 fine for attempting to choke a 21-year-old woman with a sweatshirt.

Villarreal also faces a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery, which could result in an additional 93 days and a $500 fine.

The incident took place at about 3 a.m. on June 5 when the female was walking near the office building of University Meadows, 4310 Sterling Way.

The woman told police she heard footsteps running in her direction and turned around to see a male she did not recognize.

According to a press release sent out by Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski, the male proceeded to take a faded grey sweatshirt and put it around her neck in an attempt to strangle her.

The victim fell on her knees and attempted to elbow the strangler in the groin, but instead hit his inner thigh.

Mioduszewski said he doesn’t necessarily advocate for victims to fight back, but advises them to do whatever they think is plausible to stay safe.

“In this case, she felt comfortable in doing that,” he said. “Quite frankly, it kind of worked out.”

At one point, the sweatshirt was so tight around the victim’s neck she couldn’t breathe. The assailant began to drag her by the sweatshirt still wrapped around the victim’s neck.

The victim was finally able to scream, causing the attacker to let her go and run away, giving the victim a chance to call 911 at a nearby apartment, police say.

Later on, a K-9 unit from the Michigan State Police was brought to the scene to track the assailant, but did not have success.

Mioduszewski said tips and leads led them to Villarreal.

“Most of the information came from tips. Our detectives got some tips that followed up some leads and we were able to put a case together,” Mioduszewski said. “There’s only the victim and the suspect. It’s always difficult to put a case together. But under the circumstances when all you have is tips, I’m very happy to hopefully get this case resolved.”

Villarreal has posted a $30,000 Surety or Cash bond, and is scheduled for a preliminary exam at 8:15 a.m. Thursday.