MORGAN HILL
– Police are searching for a Morgan Hill man officers say
kidnapped, strangled and hit his girlfriend with a hammer late
Monday night at his home just outside the city limits.
MORGAN HILL – Police are searching for a Morgan Hill man officers say kidnapped, strangled and hit his girlfriend with a hammer late Monday night at his home just outside the city limits.
Joseph Varelas, 32, of Morgan Hill, reportedly forced his girlfriend into a car at Main Avenue and Calle Mazatlan. Police say he physically assaulted her while they were driven by a relative to the suspect’s home at 250-B W. Edmundson Ave.
While at the residence, Varelas continued to abuse her by punching her in the face and kicking her, police said. He reportedly strangled her and hit her with a hammer while threatening to kill her.
Authorities were alerted to the incident at about 11:30 p.m. when a resident near the Edmundson Avenue home called 9-1-1 to report a screaming woman.
Varelas had left the area when Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department deputies and Morgan Hill police arrived. A team of five officers, six deputies and the Sheriff’s Office helicopter were unable to locate him.
The woman, whose name is being withheld to protect her identity, declined medical treatment for the injuries.
Varelas may have fled in a light-blue Toyota sedan. He is described as Hispanic, about 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. His head may be shaved, and officers said Varelas had numerous tattoos. Varelas is currently on parole for domestic violence from a previous relationship, police said.
Police said the extent of the driver’s involvement in the incident has yet to be determined.
The police department is pursuing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, kidnapping, domestic violence and violation of a restraining order against Varelas.
Morgan Hill Police Lt. Joe Sampson said the woman and the suspect had an off-and-on relationship for the past year.
Because Varelas had worked in the past in Gilroy, police there were notified.
Anyone with information regarding Varelas’ whereabouts is asked to call the police at 779-2101 or Crime Stoppers at 778-STOP (7867) for those who wish to remain anonymous.
