Danbury Man Accused Of Approaching 14-Year-Old Girls, Police Seek Other Victims

DANBURY, CT — A Danbury man is accused of approaching two 14-year-old girls in New York with offers of paid work, and police are now searching for possible additional victims, authorities said.

The incidents were reported in Peekskill, where police said they received two separate reports involving teenage girls earlier this month.

In the first incident on March 6, police said Gennaro Trainello, of Danbury, approached a 14-year-old girl walking to school and offered to pay her for a massage. The girl declined and reported the encounter to a school resource officer, prompting an investigation.

In a second incident on Monday, police said the man approached another 14-year-old girl and convinced her to enter his vehicle with promises of paid work.

Police said the man then drove the girl to a Walgreens on Main Street, where he parked. After a brief conversation, the girl exited the vehicle and he drove away, according to authorities.

Trainello was arrested Tuesday on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and are asking anyone who may have had contact with the suspect, or who has information about similar incidents, to come forward.

Patch editor Jeff Edwards contributed to this story.