Attempted Student Kidnapper Charged In New Incident After Victim IDs Photo: Bridgeport PD

A Connecticut man who allegedly attempted to kidnap two girls near a high school has been arrested again for a third attempt after the victim recognized his picture.

Antonio Dossantos has been arrested again for allegedly attempting to kidnap a third girl near Central High School in Bridgeport.
Photo Credit: *Bridgeport Police Department/Salvatore Trifiliot*

Kathy Reakes

05/13/2023 9:00 a.m.

The Bridgeport resident who was arrested last month for allegedly trying to kidnap two girls on separate dates at Central High School has been charged after a new victim recognized his picture from a press release.

Antonio Dossantos, age 36, was arrested on Thursday, April 27, for the first two incidents in which he confessed to attempting to grab two girls and force them into his vehicle.

Both victims were able to break away and run to safety, said Capt. Kevin Gilleran, of the Bridgeport Police.

He was arrested again on Friday, May 12 for a third incident that took place on Friday, July 16, 2021, for allegedly attempting to kidnap a 14-year-old girl at Central High School who was waiting outside for her father to pick her up, Gilleran said.

Earlier report: Student Kidnapping Attempt: Bridgeport Man Charged In 2 Cases, Police Say

According to Gilleran, on that day, Bridgeport Police were dispatched to the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Taft Avenue on the report of an attempted kidnapping.

The victim told police that a man grabbed her around the head and attempted to drag her into a black car, Gilleran added.

The girl resisted by pushing away from her attacker. The man then ran to his car and fled the area traveling northbound on Lincoln Boulevard In 2021, police were unable to apprehend a suspect for this crime, police said.

On Saturday, April 29, Bridgeport Police were contacted by one of the parents of the 14-year-old victim from the 2021 incident. The victim, who is now 16, recognized her attacker from a press release provided by the police department, Gilleran said.

An investigation was conducted by Detective Angel Llanos and an arrest warrant was secured for Dossantos.

Dossantos was arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court on Friday to face additional charges of risk of injury to a child and criminal attempt kidnapping.

He remains in custody.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to contact the case officer, Detective Angel Llanos, at 203-581-5238. Citizens can also utilize the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS.

Click here to follow Daily Voice New Haven and receive free news updates.