Woodside Man Tortured, Held Captive For Month
Three men were arraigned last Wednesday, May 22, for their role in the kidnapping, assault and torture of a Woodside man who was held captive inside a Long Island City warehouse for more than a month, law enforcement sources said.
Christian Acuna, 35, of 38th Street in Corona, Dennis Alves, 32, of 84th Street in East Elmhurst and Eduardo Moncayo, 38, of Lyndhurst, N.J. were charged with first- and second degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment for reportedly holding the 52-year-old man captive for 32 days and demanding a $3 million ransom from his family members for his release.
The man was rescued by members of the NYPD Major Case Squad from the warehouse on 43rd Avenue in Long Island City last Monday, May 20. During his ordeal, police learned, the alleged kidnappers beat the man repeatedly, threatened to cut off his fingers and even burned one of his hands with acid.
“This is a terrifying story of a businessman allegedly being forcibly abducted off the streets of Queens County in broad daylight and being beaten and held against his will for more than a month while his alleged kidnappers demanded $3 million from relatives in Ecuador for his safe return,” Queens District Attorney Brown said in a statement last Wednesday. “In the process, the victim allegedly suffered physical injuries and has been deeply traumatized by the ordeal. The case warrants vigorous prosecution.”
“The outstanding work by detectives in the case may well have saved the victim’s life. I want to commend them and District Attorney Brown’s team for bringing the suspects to justice,” added Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
Prosecutors said the ordeal began on Apr. 18 as the Woodside man was walking in front of a location on Roosevelt Avenue near 88th Street. Reportedly, Moncayo allegedly called out to the victim and displayed what appeared to be a real NYPD badge.
Seconds later, authorities said, Moncayo and an unidentified, unapprehended individual accosted the man and forced him into a waiting sports utility vehicle. Once inside, it was reported, the man was repeatedly punched about the body by the two men and a third unknown suspect.
Law enforcement sources said a mask was placed on the victim’s head just before the sports utility vehicle sped away from the scene. One of the suspects reportedly placed a knife to the man’s chest and threatened to stab him if he moved.
According to information obtained by police, the vehicle sped away from the location, and the man was brought to the Long Island City warehouse. Reportedly, the man was taken to a small room, placed in a chair and hand his ankles and wrists bound. The group of kidnappers then punched the man repeatedly about the head and body and demanded money; they claimed to know that the victim owned property in the U.S.
A short time later, authorities said, the kidnappers forced the man to call his mother in Ecuador, report his kidnapping and request $3 million in ransom for his safe return. He was reportedly told to instruct his mother to deliver the money to a man named Tito.
The kidnapping was reported to police, and the NYPD Major Case Squad launched an investigation. They were able to trace the man’s location to the 43rd Avenue warehouse, which they visited last Monday.
Law enforcement sources said a detective entered the location and found the victim bound inside a makeshift apartment on the third floor. Acuna was reportedly busted by another detective a short time later as he attempted to flee the building.
During questioning, the three suspects stated they allegedly participated in the kidnapping after being approached by unknown individuals and being paid for their services, much of which included watching the man during his captivity.
The investigation is ongoing. Brown thanked the U.S. Justice Department for its assistance.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patricia M. Theodorou, a supervisor in the DA’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau, which is supervised by Assistant District Attorneys James W. Evangelou, bureau chief, and Robert J. Hanophy, deputy bureau chief.
