New Haven Police: It Was Not a Kidnapping
Friday, Aug 31, 2012 | Updated 1:16 PM EDT
New Haven Police said what they were investigating as a kidnapping is not.
New Haven police responded to Lombard and Front streets just before 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday for a report of assault and a 32-year-old Bridgeport man told police that he'd been assaulted, his car was stolen and his friend had been abducted.
The man told police that he'd picked up a friend, Monaisa Francis, 21, from her home in Fair Haven and she asked him if they could pick up her son, police said.
The man told police he agreed. As they were driving, Francis asked him to pull over so she could make a phone call.
He did and three men in black clothing and face masks converged on the car while Francis was on the phone, opened the driver's door, dragged the man from it, demanded his wallet and beat him up, police said.
The man told police that the assailants didn't display any weapons, but he believed one had a gun.
After attacking the victim, the three men headed for the car, where Francis was sitting, got in and drove off, police said.
The man said Francis made no attempt to get out of the car and police began investigating it as a kidnapping.
Francis was not home when police went to her residence, police said, and they asked her mother to contact police if Francis returned or called.
Police said on Friday that Francis was not hurt and was not kidnapped. Police said the investigation into the assault and robbery of the driver continues.
Police said the car that was stolen is a red 2011 Chevrolet Aveo rented from Hertz in Fairfield. The Connecticut registration plate is 796-YXE.
