OREM, Utah, Oct. 9, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials have identified the man they say broke into an Orem home late Sunday evening and beat a 34-year-old mother unconscious with a PVC pipe while her three children were in their bedrooms nearby.
Orem police officials say the suspect is 21-year-old Rodolfo Villalobos, of Provo. Villalobos initially would not reveal his name or allow his fingerprints to be taken.
Orem Police Department Lt. Craig Martinez told Gephardt Daily that the suspect also hit the woman’s 4-year-old daughter. She was found with blood on her face, and red marks and swelling.
Villalobos was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, aggravated burglary, child abuse, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, and failure to disclose his identification, Martinez said.
The incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. in a residence near 600 N. 400 West. It appears the suspect chose the house at random, Martinez said.
“The suspect broke into the home by breaking a basement window,” Martinez said. “This woke up the mother, and she was confronted by the suspect, who assaulted her until she went unconscious. When she came to, she ran to a neighbor’s home and called us.”
When police arrived, they were able to get three children, the 4-year-old girl, a 1-year old baby boy, and 7-year-old girl, out of the home safely.
“We found the suspect a few blocks away, lying in the street, and took him into custody,” Martinez said.
The mother and the injured child were treated for their injuries at the hospital. The mother remains hospitalized in fair condition. Both victims are expected to fully recover.
