Ocean County Man Charged With Kidnapping, Raping, Stabbing Woman At Motel

A 48-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the motel kidnapping, stabbing and sexual assault of a 31-year-old Toms River woman, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little.

Steen Tarpley of Toms River has been charged with with first degree kidnapping, first degree aggravated sexual assault, and second degree aggravated assault.   

At approximately 1:24 p.m. on Saturday, the Toms River Police Department received a call of an assault at the Americana Hotel at 925 Route 166.  Patrolman Kyle Zangara quickly arrived on the scene to find the suspect had fled and the female victim suffering from multiple stab wounds, authorities said.

The victim was immediately given medical assistance and transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center where she in listed in stable condition with multiple superficial stab wounds.

Toms River officers on scene quickly radioed the suspect's description to surrounding area patrols. At approximately 2:56 p.m., a Toms River unit located the suspect near a bus stop on Route 166 in the area of the Toms River Home Depot. 

Toms River Detective Duncan MaCrae, with the assistance of other Toms River Patrol Units took Tarpley into custody without incident, police said.

The investigation alleges that Tarpley, who is known to the victim, held her against her will for a yet to be determined time. It alleges further that during the course of the abduction he physically and sexually assaulted her.

Tarpley is lodged in Ocean County Jail in default of $500,000 cash bail set by Judge Joseph Foster.

The continuing investigation is being conducted by Toms River Detective Duncan MaCrae and Ocean County Prosecutor Detective Thomas Tiernan, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff's Department CIU.