YAPHANK, N.Y., Feb. 2 -- A Long Island, N.Y., man who allegedly strangled a long-time family friend and neighbor has been arrested in Las Vegas. Suffolk County police say that 56-year-old Anthony Libardi developed a sexual interest in his 41-year-old neighbor, went to her home, and choked her to death when she rebuffed him.
Police Lt. John Gierasch (GEER'-ash) says that on Jan. 22, Libardi waited for Donna Bocklet's husband and family to leave home for the day, then went to the house. Police believe that Bocklet, who had been a baby sitter for Libardi's children when she was a teenager, let the familiar neighbor in when he knocked. Gierasch says Bocklet fought back when Libardi forced himself on her, so he killed her, put her body in her car, and drove it to a supermarket parking lot. Police and Bocklet's and Libardi's families mounted a search for the woman after her children returned home and found her missing. Libardi was one of the searchers. Gierasch says Libardi fled the state when he realized police suspected him. He was tracked to the Frontier Hotel on Saturday and arrested Monday. Gierasch says Libardi's family assisted in the investigation. The suspect is being held in the Clarke County Detention Center pending extradition. ---
Copyright 1998 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---
