NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Newington Police say a man was taken into custody in Stamford in connection with an assault and kidnapping that happened earlier in the day.
Police say John Lacen-Romero, 36, of Newington, allegedly assaulted an adult woman at an undisclosed residence in Newington. According to a police report, Lacen-Romero grabbed the woman by the neck, restricting her ability to breathe, while making threats to hurt two children at home. He put the children in a car and proceeded to leave the area.
Stamford Police ultimately located the vehicle Lacen-Romero was driving in the area of Canal Street.
There was a short pursuit in Stamford that ended in the man crashing with another vehicle and becoming disabled. There was an extended standoff that ended in Lacen-Romero's surrender.
The two children were taken to a local hospital for an evaluation.
Newington police are charging Lacen-Romero with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree strangulation, three counts of first-degree unlawful restraint, three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, two counts of risk of injury to a child, one count of third-degree assault, and one count of criminal mischief in the second degree.
Bond is $1,000,000.