CROWN POINT | A Hammond man accused of choking his 81-year-old grandmother with a dog leash and turning on the gas in the woman's kitchen faces attempted murder charges.
Joseph Laich III, 22, told police he had taken his grandmother shopping for curtain rods Wednesday, later returning to the woman's Hammond home to hang the rods, court records state.
Laich said he got into an argument with the woman and lost his temper. Court records state he told police he hit or pushed the woman and then wrapped a dog leash around her neck until she passed out.
Laich told police he took the woman's television to make it look like a robbery, but he did not remember turning the gas on in the kitchen.
The victim told police Laich became angry at her dog, attacking her when she told him to leave the dog alone.
When she regained consciousness, she smelled the odor of natural gas and turned off the valves before seeking help from neighbors, court records state.
She later discovered her dog, television and $200 in cash missing, according to court records.
Laich faces charges of attempted murder, robbery, three counts of criminal confinement, battery, intimidation and theft.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/article_93e07828-0cf7-5ec0-a211-73062665a5f6.html
WOW
Joseph Laich III, 22, told police he had taken his grandmother shopping for curtain rods Wednesday, later returning to the woman's Hammond home to hang the rods, court records state.
Laich said he got into an argument with the woman and lost his temper. Court records state he told police he hit or pushed the woman and then wrapped a dog leash around her neck until she passed out.
Laich told police he took the woman's television to make it look like a robbery, but he did not remember turning the gas on in the kitchen.
The victim told police Laich became angry at her dog, attacking her when she told him to leave the dog alone.
When she regained consciousness, she smelled the odor of natural gas and turned off the valves before seeking help from neighbors, court records state.
She later discovered her dog, television and $200 in cash missing, according to court records.
Laich faces charges of attempted murder, robbery, three counts of criminal confinement, battery, intimidation and theft.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/article_93e07828-0cf7-5ec0-a211-73062665a5f6.html
WOW
