MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police are looking for a man they say attacked his wife twice in less than a week inside the Goodwill store where she works.
Police arrested Marvin Kimbrel New Year’s Eve for attacking Lakesha Howell and threatening to kill her. After he bonded out, he went back and stabbed Howell at the store, located in the 600 block of N. McLean.
Workers there are terrified. They’re so scared, they would barely unlock the door to talk to WREG Friday. Goodwill officials said they’re doing all they can to protect them while police hunt for Kimbrel.
Security cameras outside the bookstore and locks did little to stop Kimbrel Wednesday afternoon. Police said came into the store, stabbed Howell, beat her, and tried to throw her through a window.
They said it’s the second time he attacked her there in less than a week.
Midtown resident Brent Pruett said, “He didn’t have any business being out on the streets where he was able to get to her and attack her again.”
Howell is trying to divorce Kimbrel.
On New Year’s Eve, police said he came into the store, beat Howell, threatened to kill her, and chased her inside Dino’s restaurant next door. Patrons there grabbed him and held him until police arrived.
He was charged with domestic assault and given a bond of $5,000. Police said he made that bond and came back with his brother, Robert Kimbrel, and had him wait outside in a getaway car while he attacked Howell for the second time.
Pruett said it sheds light on a big problem with how the court system deals with domestic violence offenders.
“Higher bonds would help out,” he said.
Police found Robert Kimbrel, arrested him, and charged him with facilitating aggravated assault. Marvin Kimbrel is still on the loose.
Employees at the store said they’re terrified he will come back.
Goodwill officials said over the phone, “We’re cooperating with the police and taking action to increase alertness and safety measures at all of our Goodwill locations.”
Howell is expected to recover from the stabbing.