New Jersey police chief arrested over kidnapping, assault allegations

A New Jersey police chief has been arrested after prosecutors in Boston charged him with kidnapping and domestic assault following an alleged hotel room incident involving his ex-girlfriend.

Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano was taken into custody on Friday and placed in jail after a warrant was issued in Massachusetts. Prosecutors say the charges stem from a September incident at a Boston hotel.

Veneziano was indicted last week on one count of kidnapping and three counts of domestic assault and battery in the alleged confrontation.

Following the arrest, Totowa Mayor John Coiro announced that Veneziano has been suspended without pay. State pension records show the police chief earns $260,780 a year.

Veneziano’s lawyer strongly denied the allegations, calling them unfounded. Attorney Jared Drill said the claims were made by an ex-girlfriend who he said was heavily intoxicated and involved in a verbal argument with the chief.

According to the defence, the pair were staying together at a Boston hotel on September 14 when the argument broke out. Hotel security and Boston police were called to the room, but no arrests were made at the time, Drill said.

Despite that, Massachusetts prosecutors proceeded with charges, leading to Veneziano’s arrest months later.