Hartford Police arrested Jenoy Ellison, 28, Monday on kidnapping and sex assault charges after an incident this past weekend.
Police said it happened around 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Two young women were sitting in their parked car outside the Room 960, a nightclub at 960 Main Street, when Ellison got into their car.
Citing the arrest warrant for Ellison, the Hartford Courant is reporting he put a steak knife up to the 18-year-old driver's throat and demanded her to drive.
Police said he forced her to drive to Tobey Street in Bloomfield, which is a dead end street near the Bloomfield Business Park. Police said Ellison then locked the driver in the trunk and sexually assaulted her friend.
As news of the sexual assault spread, people passing by 960 Main Street said they were concerned. "It's scary to think that even when you're with somebody, you're not safe, so it's pretty scary," said Tracy Voter of Union. "I can't believe it. I think it's crazy," said Erica Prorokovic, a University of Hartford student who said she heads downtown to party with friends.
Hartford Police said their investigation led them to Ellison, who was arrested Monday on two counts of kidnapping and first degree sexual assault.
In a statement, Hartford Police Chief Daryl Roberts stressed, "this incident is not part of any trend in the downtown area."
NBC Connecticut spoke to the owner of Room 960. He didn't want to be identified, but said he works hard to keep his club safe, employing security both inside and out on the street. He also said doesn't want something like this to keep people from coming downtown.
"Everyone wants to go out, so I guess people will still go out, maybe just in larger groups and try to leave together," said Vani Cashman of Hartford.
Megan Lenzzo of Wallingford says she will still go out downtown. "I will try to be more cautious," she said.
DeShawn Knight of Bloomfield says he normally doesn't get worried about his safety. "But when you hear stuff like that, you should be concerned," Knight said. "No matter who you are, that's just crazy. Going out and a guy comes up to you, that could be anybody, anybody."
Ellison is being held on $850,000 bond.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division at 860-757-4089 or to call the Hartford Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
