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Crime

Police: Motive remains unclear in Scottsdale hotel assault

Charges: Kidnapping, aggravated assault

Posted 6/6/23

Two men have been booked into Maricopa County jail on charges of aggravated assault and kidnapping in connect with a Sunday night attack at a hotel in Old Town Scottsdale, police said Tuesday.

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Crime

Police: Motive remains unclear in Scottsdale hotel assault

Charges: Kidnapping, aggravated assault

Posted

Two men have been booked into jail on charges of aggravated assault and kidnapping stemming from a Sunday night attack at a hotel in Old Town Scottsdale, police said Tuesday.

Andre Woods, 48, and Justin B. Walowitz, 41, were arrested June 4 after police said they assaulted a 36-year-old man who suffered a skull fracture from being kicked in his head and a laceration from being attacked with a knife. His injuries are not considered life threatening.

A "clear motive" as to why Woods and Walowitz assaulted the victim remains unknown, according to police. 

The assault, according to police, occurred about 7:30 p.m. June 4 at the Extended Stay America near Marshall Way and Goldwater Boulevard.

Walowitz was arrested shortly after police arrived, but Woods barricaded himself in one of the rooms and did not surrender to a SWAT team until 11:30 p.m.

Police said the victim was able to escape from the suspects and made it to the hotel’s front office following the attack.

“After the assault, Walowitz and Woods went into a hotel room on the property and patrol officers contacted them there. Walowitz exited the room first and was detained by officers without incident," police said in a release.

“When Woods exited the initial room, he ignored police commands to stop and entered a separate hotel room nearby. Initial attempts to contact Woods in the second room and get him to surrender were unsuccessful. Woods was considered armed and dangerous and due to his non-compliance, barricade procedures were initiated.”

For about two hours, a SWAT vehicle equipped with a public address system was used to try to contact Woods, police said, adding that phone calls also were made to the room.

Nearby rooms were evacuated until Woods was taken into custody without any resistance, police said.