Police have arrested a man who allegedly wanted to kidnap two teenage girls on Long Island, New York, by being a police officer.
Donald Cristiano Jr., 46, is on trial on charges of kidnapping, child welfare, criminal imitation and luring a child, Suffolk County police announced Thursday.
Authorities said Cristiano on Wednesday approached two 14- and 16-year-old teenage girls while driving a white Nissan Xterra and identified him as a police officer.
He told the girls he was investigating recent gang activity in the area and offered them a ride to the library so they would not have to walk alone, Suffolk County CEO Steve Bellone said.
“They did, they arrived at the library and he asked the 16-year-old to leave the vehicle so he could talk to the younger girl,” Bellone told a news conference on Thursday. “He then drove with the 14-year-old to Fireman’s Memorial Park in Lindenhurst.”
Bellone described the incident as a nightmare of every parent and said as a father his heart sank when he first heard the report.
“I can not tell you how disturbing and sick it is to think of this person posing as a police officer in an attempt to kidnap and assault these young girls,” Bellone said. “It’s disturbing.”
According to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Cristaldo, Cristiano allegedly grabbed the younger girl’s pants and made inappropriate remarks about them, but she was able to escape after a struggle.
“She could grab the door handle, kick the door handle as she fought him off,” Hart said. ‘She was able to run to a nearby house where the homeowner 911.
After Cristiano allegedly drove out of the library, the 16-year-old girl found a crossover which was also 911. Police then used surveillance video to identify the car’s make and model and restrict ownership to Cristiano’s father on land. of the car’s “characteristic” stickers.
Hart said Cristiano matched the description the young girls gave to police and he was arrested without incident Thursday morning.
“If you are ever stopped by an individual who identifies themselves as a secret officer, ask them for identification and their license plate,” Hart said. “If you are not comfortable, immediately go to a public place and call 911.”
Information about prisoners was not yet available to Cristiano on Thursday afternoon. It is unclear whether he retained a lawyer.
