Ex-NJ Resident Charged With Kidnapping After Woman Went Missing

BOSTON — Police say they've charged a former New Jersey resident with kidnapping after they found a 23-year-old woman who had gone missing over the weekend, authorities said.

Olivia Ambrose, who appeared to be in "good health physically," was taken to the hospital this week for evaluation, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said Tuesday evening.

Victor Pena, 38, moved to Massachusetts from New Jersey, according to MassLive, thought it's not clear what town he lived in. He was arrested shortly after police called him a "person of interest" in Ambrose's disappearance.

Pena, who will spend the next 20 days being evaluated at a mental hospital, walked into court Wednesday wearing a white jumper, sobbing, his legs shackled and his hands handcuffed behind his back. He cried again as he was placed in the sheriff's van to head to the hospital after the arraignment.

Read more: Olivia Ambrose Details: Accused Kidnapper Gets Mental Evaluation

Gross said an "extensive investigation" led police to his Walford Way apartment in the Boston area, where they found Ambrose standing near Pena.

Gross said more charges could follow after police complete their investigation, which will include speaking with Ambrose about what happened. For the time being, authorities said they were grateful for a happy ending.

"It's been a long night and day," Gross said during a press conference.

Ambrose had last been seen leaving Hennessy's on Union Street in Faneuil Hall in Boston Saturday night. Video surveillance later showed two men interacting with her, including one man, who police said turned out to be Ambrose, putting his arm around her and bringing her toward the State Street MBTA station.

"It's obvious from the video surveillance she did not go along willing," Gross said.

Ambrose's phone last pinged in Charlestown. Police used the surveillance and the ping to help narrow their search, which eventually led to Pena's apartment, said Gross. Police took Pena into custody and Ambrose to the hospital after separating them.

Police said they hope to identify the other man in the video and determine whether he was a witness or suspect.

Gross said police have yet to interview Ambrose. He would not comment on whether alcohol was a factor.

Watch the livestream of the press conference at (fast-forward to minute 39:00)

The Ambrose family released a statement just before 6 p.m., thanking all who helped bring her home.

"The Ambrose family is so grateful for the monumental efforts of the Boston Police Department and the MBTA and Transit Police Department and the MBTA and Transit police who have worked tirelessly over the last three days to bring Olivia home. They also want to thank all of the staff at Hennessy's Bar who have been so helpful since Olivia went missing. The Ambrose family is also so appreciative of all the efforts, prayers and good wishes of their friends, family and complete strangers who have helped in the efforts to find Olivia. And finally, they want to thank Olivia's co-workers at Toast who sprang into action and were instrumental in getting the word out. The family is overjoyed," wrote Gina Addis, a family spokesperson.

Police also thanked the community for helping with a search that made headlines nationally.

WCVB is reporting that several residents said they recognized Pena and that he was known for making people feel uncomfortable and that he is known to police.

Gross would not comment on that.

The timeline:

Ambrose, who goes by "Liviy," and is from Wenham but recently moved to Jamaica Plain, went missing around 11 p.m. Saturday near Hennessy’s Bar at 25 Union St.

Family and friends created a Facebook page and began spreading word about her disappearance on Patch QuickPosts. Someone posted images Monday of a man they believe was last seen with Ambrose, and then later updated saying the man in the photos had been identified and contacted by police. Police also said that man has been cleared.

By Tuesday morning police said Ambrose's disappearance had become an active investigation, with officers working through "a mountain of evidence," said Lt. Stephen McNulty, a spokesman for the Boston Police Department.

Police used surveillance video and other information to set a timeline, which they released Tuesday afternoon:

11:04 PM: Ms. Ambrose is seen leaving a bar located at 25 Union Street (Hennessy’s) with a white male who has since been determined to not be involved in her disappearance.

11:42 PM: Approximately 40 minutes later, two unknown males are observed inviting Ms. Ambrose to walk with them in the area of Congress Street and State Street. One of the males appears to walk ahead while the second male places his arm around Ms. Ambrose and directs her towards the State Street MBTA Station.

12:01 AM: Approximately 20 minutes later, additional video shows Ms. Ambrose being accompanied by that same male, still with his arm around her, exiting the Bunker Hill Community MBTA Station in Charlestown. The other male party is no longer observed in any surveillance video moving forward.

12:13 AM: Approximately 10 minutes later, Ms. Ambrose and the unknown male are observed again in the area of Green Street walking together towards Bartlett Street. A short time later, phone records indicate Ms. Ambrose’s phone was in the general area of the Bunker Hill Housing Development.

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RELATED:

Missing Woman, 23, Last Seen Leaving Boston Bar: Police, Family

Olivia Ambrose Found: Accused Kidnapper To Get Mental Evaluation

With reporting by Jenna Fisher, Patch Staff

Photos courtesy of bpdnews.com