Enfield Teen Accused of Armed Kidnapping, Assault

An Enfield teenager is facing numerous charges after being arrested Monday in connection with an armed kidnapping and assault of a high school student last month.

Tyler Miner, 19, of 75 Cornell Drive, is charged with first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, criminal possession of a pistol, carrying a pistol without a permit, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Judicial records show Miner is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said the incident took place Dec. 1, 2015, but was not reported until a few days later, when the high school student told a teacher about the situation.

When interviewed by police, the student had a black left eye, a possible broken nose and cuts on his lip and right hand. He told officers he had been walking home near the corner of North Maple and North streets when a car approached him and a person wielding a gun ordered him to get into the vehicle, Sferrazza said.

The driver proceeded to the lumber yard behind Kelly-Fradet on Route 190, where a fight ensued, during which the driver told the student not to call the police, Sferrazza said.

Police were able to ascertain that the driver was Miner, and spoke to him about the assault, He initially denied any part in the incident, though he did admit he was in the area to pick up a female friend, whom he identified. He also made “a spontaneous utterance” along the lines of “a gun I had for two days,” Sferrazza said.

The juvenile female was questioned by police and confirmed Miner had picked up the student and fought with him, though she claimed she saw no firearm, the chief said.

Following that interview, police obtained an arrest warrant and went to Miner’s home, but were told he was out of state. Meanwhile, Miner’s father turned over a Ruger 9mm pistol that he said he found in his son’s car’s glovebox, Sferrazza said.

Miner turned himself in at police headquarters Monday morning, and was arraigned that same day in Enfield Superior Court.

He is scheduled to return to court Feb. 19.

Photo courtesy of Enfield Police Department