New Haven County resident Brian Lambert of Southbury was arrested on Friday, May 10.
According to Connecticut State Police and Southbury Police, around noon on May 10, officers responded to the area of Elaine Drive and Curt Smith Road after receiving information that Lambert was seen dragging a woman through a wooded area of Elaine Drive, forcibly push her into a vehicle and then take off at a high rate of speed.
Responding officers searched the immediate area but could not locate a vehicle.
After developing further information, Southbury PD officers contacted state police and conducted an emergency location ping to Lambert's cell phone, state police said.
The cell phone was found to be pinging in the area of Quaker Farms Road (Rt. 188) and Punkup Road in the town of Oxford, approximately 7 miles away.
Southbury officers, Oxford Police officers, and troopers immediately responded to the area.
While responding, Southbury PD Det. Brianna Critelli spotted Lambert's vehicle heading northbound on Quaker Farms Road just south of Southford Falls State Park in Southbury.
Police initiated a traffic stop and converged on the vehicle, which ended at the entrance to Southford Falls State Park, Southbury Police said.
Inside the vehicle was the victim and Lambert, who was taken into custody without incident.
Lambert was arrested and charged with:
- Kidnapping
- Unlawful restraint
- Assault
- Reckless endangerment
- Threatening
- Disorderly conduct
He is being held on a $5 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, May 13.
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