DANBURY, Conn. — A half dozen Florida men are in custody after police say they "targeted" at least two people and kidnapped them in Connecticut.
The investigation started shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, in the area of Clapboard Ridge Road near Dogwood Lane in Danbury after police got reports of a disturbance. Danbury is close to the Connecticut/New York border, about 37 miles from New Haven.
When police arrived, witnesses reportedly told officers they saw three men get out of a van and start assaulting another man before pushing him into the van and driving off.
A short time later, police said they saw the van on Clapboard Ridge Road and tried to stop it, but the driver was able to get away. The driver didn't get far; officers said they found the van a short distance away on Cowperthwaite Street.
Once officers got to the van, they said they found two victims inside who were both bound with duct tape. One victim had reportedly been beaten with a baseball bat. Both were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Police said "fortunately," their injuries aren't considered life-threatening.
Witnesses in the area where police found the van reportedly told officers six men got out of the van and ran away on foot. Officers said they immediately started searching the area and were able to find four of the six men and take them into custody.
According to police, three officers suffered minor injuries during the search and arrests.
The other two men accused in the kidnapping were later found in a short-term rental home in Roxbury.
The six men face multiple charges including first-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping and reckless endangerment. All men live in Florida, police added.
Police said they believe the victims were specifically targeted in the kidnapping but said the exact motive isn't known at this time.
Anyone with information about the alleged crime is asked to contact Danbury police.
