East Haven Police: Madison Man Accused of Home Invasion, Kidnapping, and Strangulation

A truly horrifying incident that began in East Haven Sunday morning, moved to Guilford and finally Madison before an arrest was made.

East Haven police spokesman Lt. David Emerman said a female victim reported that her ex-boyfriend Michael Santillo, 43, of Overbrook Road in Madison, allegedly broke into her house, kidnapped her, assaulted her, strangled her, and then forced her to drive to Rite Aid at 588 Main Street to obtain narcotics prescription.

The victim was in her vehicle at the Rite Aid drive-thru, and she attempted to signal to the pharmacy worker that she needed help. The female victim was able to exit the vehicle and escaped from Santillo’s custody, police said. At this point, Santillo fled the area.

Police were called to the pharmacy around 9:55 a.m. on Sunday. While enroute, further information was received that a male offender had left the scene traveling eastbound on Main Street.

The female victim provided further information regarding the male offender and advised that he may try to retrieve his vehicle which was parked at her residence, police said.

A short time later, an East Haven Police officer located the suspect’s vehicle traveling on Main Street.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, which then fled onto northbound Interstate 95. The vehicle operated by Santillo refused to stop and was operating at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour on the highway, police said.

Officers terminated the pursuit near Exit 57 in Guilford. A broadcast regarding the incident was given out to area departments.

A short time later, Madison Police Department officers located a subject matching the description of Santillo walking on Overbrook Road in Madison, police said. The male subject was positively identified as Santillo and he was taken into custody without incident.

Santillo was transported to the East Haven Police Department and charged with home invasion, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree strangulation, criminal attempt to possess narcotics, interfering with a police officer, second-degree breach of peace, reckless driving, and failure to bring a motor vehicle to a complete stop.

He was held on $1 million bond.

“The East Haven Police Department would like to thank the Madison Police Department for their assistance in apprehending this dangerous suspect,” Emerman said.

Photo courtesy of the East Haven Police Department.