A Richmond Hill man was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping after he allegedly tried to abduct a 2-year-old girl at knifepoint in broad daylight at a laundromat around the corner from his home on 109th Street on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Peter Vonderhofen, 32, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court the following day on a complaint charging him with attempted kidnapping in the second degree, menacing, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal possession of a weapon.
Cecelia Carias, 31, was doing her laundry inside the Atlantic Express Laundromat at 108-15 Atlantic Ave. just before 3 p.m. when she noticed Vonderhofen riding a purple bicycle near her 2-year-old daughter as she played in an empty portion of the parking lot. When she went to check, Vonderhofen allegedly pointed a knife at her stomach and said, “Give me your baby,” according to the criminal complaint.
Carias picked up her daughter and ran away, chased by Vonderhofen before he gave up and rode away on his bike. Police from the 102nd Precinct in Richmond Hill responded to the crime scene and reviewed video surveillance of the incident that showed the suspect wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, white pants, and gray shoes. A detective from the 102nd Precinct created a still image from the video.
After spotting Vonderhofen in front of his home around the corner a short while later, the detective showed him the image, and Vonderhofen stated, “Yes, that’s me.” He then proclaimed his innocence, telling the detective, “You see, I put the bike down, and I walked up because I was going to throw the knife under the car.” He added, “The lady saw the knife and started running. I tried to tell her no, it’s not you. It has nothing to do with the baby, it has nothing to do with you,” according to the criminal complaint.
He was taken into custody and booked at the 102nd Precinct.
Vonderhofen pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday. Bail was set at $15,000 cash and $45,000 bond, and a temporary order of protection was issued.
