BOSTON (WHDH) - A police chief from New Jersey was arrested Friday, accused of kidnapping and violently assaulting a woman he was dating in a hotel in Boston.
Carmen Veneziano, 47, was was brought to Boston on felony charges of kidnapping and domestic assault. He was arraigned in Suffolk County Court Monday and pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
Prosecutors said Veneziano visited Boston in September to attend a Red Sox game and stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Back Bay with a woman he was dating.
Authorities said Veneziano left the hotel room and returned several hours later to find himself locked out. The victim eventually let Veneziano back in, and that’s when prosecutors said he attacked.
“The trip was going well, until it didn’t. Things between them deteriorated as far as how they were getting along,” said Prosecutor Ian Polumbaum. “He became physically abusive by headbutting her, dragging her by her legs, holding her down on the bed preventing her from leaving the room or the bed.”
Prosecutors also accuse Veneziano of throwing water on the victim.
Veneziano’s defense attorney said his client has been in law enforcement for 25 years, and a police chief for the last five years.
“Mr. Veneziano maintains his innocence and looks forward to addressing these allegations in court,” said Paolo Corso, Veneziano’s Defense Attorney.
Despite a recent Operating Under the Influence arrest, the defense said Veneziano is a good man.
“He certainly has ties in New Jersey and is a pillar in the community. His friends from that community travelled here to support him, describe him as a role model and community leader,” said Corso.
Veneziano was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring ankle bracelet and stay away from the victim.
The mayor of Totowa, New Jersey, where Veneziano serves as chief of police, said Veneziano has been suspended without pay.
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