Suspect in savage beating is bound over

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) - The man accused of beating up an 80-year-old woman in her home was bound over to circuit court for trial Monday.

Randall Lachniet will head to Kent County Circuit Court. No trial date has been set.

He allegedly attacked Betty Oosterhouse in her home and attempted to rob her. The beating was so severe, Oosterhouse's teeth were knocked out.

Lachniet, 46, is charged with five counts, including torture, home invasion, armed robbery, fleeing and eluding police and cutting the phone line to the victim's home.

Oosterhouse thought she recognized the man who allegedly came to her door Sept. 7 claiming car trouble.

Police believe Lachniet was a on a crew working on her home's roof earlier this summer.

Lachniet allegedly forced his way into the home on Farnham near Division.

But Oosterhouse, who does 250 sit-ups each day according to her son, fought back, at one point biting the suspect's his finger or hand.

"She fought hard. She bit him," Jim Oosterhouse said. "They wrestled with a kitchen knife in the floor in a pool of blood."