Provo man accused of hitting woman with skateboard, threatening her life
PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — A Provo man was taken into custody on Tuesday, accused of assaulting and kidnapping a woman, according to the Provo City Police Department.
Melvin John Robinson, 28, was booked and faces charges for first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping and second-degree felony aggravated assault resulting in serious injury. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for failure to stop at the command of law enforcement.
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The Provo Police Department said the woman’s parents called for a welfare check at the same time another caller reported a woman with a bloodied face at their apartment. The second caller told officers Robinson had asked them to carry the victim into the apartment and was making comments about “burning her” or “putting her in a ditch.”
The second caller also reportedly thought the woman was already dead, due to the amount of blood.
Responding officers allegedly saw Robinson carrying the woman to a car when they arrived. When first responders told Robinson to stop, he allegedly dropped the woman and fled on foot. Robinson was later apprehended by police and taken to custody.
Paramedics provided medical aid to the victim. She told investigators Robinson had hit her in the head with a skateboard and choked her. According to court documents, the woman believed she was going to die. Police say her injuries were so severe, she required surgery at the hospital.
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Investigators say Robinson refused to speak with police about the incident, however, they reported finding large amounts of blood inside his car as well as a skateboard covered in blood.
According to court records, Robinson had been taken into custody two days prior to the incident on Sunday, Feb. 11, after he allegedly snuck into another woman’s room and sexually assaulted her while she lay in bed. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery after he “pleaded the fifth” when speaking to police.
Courts ordered Robinson to be held on $2,500 bail for the sexual battery incident which he posted just hours before the second incident. Courts have now ordered Robinson to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing.
An investigation is currently ongoing, according to the Provo Police Department, and more charges are being considered.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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