DANBURY, CT - A couple who was house hunting in a gated community in this city located in ritzy Fairfield County in southwestern Connecticut was beaten and kidnapped by a group of men armed with baseball bats, WABC reported.
The situation unfolded last Sunday when the husband and wife, both in their 50s, pulled up to a house in a swanky Danbury neighborhood in their Lamborghini, where they were scheduled to meet a real estate agent. Out of nowhere, their car was rear-ended by a van. When the couple got out to investigate, they were immediately surrounded by three other vehicles.
The assailants– six men out of Florida– beat them with baseball bats and shoved them into the van. The couple had their hands and feet duct taped, and the husband had his eyes covered as the van sped away. Other suspects stole the Lamborghini and drove off.
Danbury Police Sgt. Steven Castrovinci said the couple was “struck with a bat.”
“The male victim was pretty bruised, pretty swollen, and they indicated they were struck with a bat several times,” he said.
A bystander witnessed the kidnapping, called 911, and then followed the van until it crashed and police arrived.
Surveillance video showed the van speeding away from the scene, at one point crossing a double-yellow line and nearly hitting an oncoming car. As they entered a turn, they crashed and fled on foot. Responding officers found the couple inside the van. They were transported to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries, which were described as non-life-threatening.
Police found the stolen Lamborghini and two other cars. After a search, four suspects were located near the van, while two more were found at a short-term rental home. Police said there are no apparent connections between the suspects and the couple, and they don’t know why they were chosen, although it appears they were specifically targeted.
The suspects were Angel Borrero, 23; Reynaldo Diaz, 22; Anthony Pena, 23; Josue Romero, 26; Ricardo Estrada, 21; and Michael Rivas, 18. Their immigration status is unknown.
“We did a lot of background work on them, but at this time it doesn’t seem as they have any connections to the Northeast,” Castrovinci said. “They’re all Miami, Florida guys.”
All six suspects are facing several charges, among them first-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping, and reckless endangerment.
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