Kidnapping Arrests Made After Woman Assaulted, Forced Into Trunk In West Haven: Police

WEST HAVEN, CT — Two people have been arrested in connection to a kidnapping in West Haven in which the victim was assaulted and forced into a trunk in West Haven before escaping in Milford, according to West Haven Police. At about 2:40 a.m. on Aug. 8, West Haven Police responded to Yale-New Haven Hospital on a domestic violence investigation.

The victim told police that she had been assaulted at a West Haven residence by a man and a woman who were later identified Jason Kaufman and Jenny Santamauro. Kaufman and Santamauro dragged the victim outside to a vehicle in the driveway and eventually forced her into the trunk and drove into Milford, according to police. (To sign up for West Haven breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Police said the victim eventually escaped and alerted a resident who called Milford Police. The victim was sent to Yale New Haven Hospital for injuries sustained during the incident.

Pictured: Jason Kaufman, 31, of West Haven

West Haven Detectives located Kaufman, Santamauro and a third male later identified as Christopher Nussas in New Haven where they were taken into custody, according to police. Nussas 42, of Center Street, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.

Pictured: Jenny Santamauro, 29, of West Haven

Kaufman, 31, of Beatrice Drive in West Haven, and Santamauro, 29, of Strathmore Road in West Haven, were both charged with second-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree unlawful restraint. Both parties were held on a $100,000 bond and were arraigned in Milford Superior Court.

Pictured: Christopher Nussas, 42, of West Haven

Photos via the West Haven Police Department