Attempted kidnapping in Town of Wheatfield
Thu, Jun 28th 2018 12:15 pm
At 3:20 a.m. Thursday, Niagara County Communications received a 911 call from a resident on Ward Road in the Town of Wheatfield. The caller reported that she was sleeping in the living room and woke up to a male carrying her six-year-old daughter down the outside steps of the residence. The caller chased after the male and he released the child onto the stairs and then ran from the residence. The caller also reported that she was familiar with the male and recognized him as a neighbor.
Responding deputies located the male at his residence and detained him. He was identified as Salvatore Prezioso, 49 years old, from the Town of Wheatfield. He was questioned by investigators and subsequently charged with attempted kidnapping in the second degree and additional charges may be pending. Prezioso was arraigned before Town Justice Gary Strenkoski from the Town of Wheatfield and was remanded to the custody of the Niagara County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. Prezioso is scheduled to return to court at 1 p.m., July 3.
The child was evaluated at the scene for bruising and abrasions by St. Johnsburg Fire and EMT's from TriCommunity Ambulance. She was treated and released to her mother.
After consulting with the Niagara County District Attorney's Office, additional charges were placed on Prezioso for the attempted kidnapping. Prezioso was again arraigned in the Town of Wheatfield Court where he was additionally charged with burglary in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child. Bail remained the same. A new court date at 6 p.m. on July 17 was given.
