Local man charged
with attempted murder
A domestic dispute that allegedly turned violent led to attempted murder charges for a township man on April 25.
Patrolman Robert Dudash said that shortly after 3 p.m. Robert Harder, 50, chased his wife out of their Caldwell Road home with a kitchen knife, then jumped into his Ford Windstar mini-van and drove over several lawns while attempting to run her down as she fled on foot.
Dudash said that, at one point, the woman was struck by the van and knocked to the ground, but sustained no serious injuries.
After Harder’s van struck some parked cars, getting wedged against one in the process, he exited the van and began walking toward his wife, threatening to kill himself and her, Dudash said.
Responding officers disarmed Harder, having allegedly found the knife in his waistband, and placed him under arrest, according to Dudash.
Harder was charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
Dudash said Harder’s wife refused medical attention at the scene and obtained a restraining order against her husband shortly thereafter.
Harder was first transported to St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick for medical evaluation and subsequently to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Piscataway for psychiatric evaluation.
Bail was set at $100,000 with no 10 percent option.
— Bryan Sabella