Adam Duvernay

The News Journal

Pike Creek residents might sleep easier after police announced Monday a man has been charged in the brutal abduction and sexual assault of a 4-year-old girl snatched off the street last month as she played with friends.

Daniel Santucci Jr., a 23-year-old from Elsmere, is in custody after police tracked him to Florida following the abduction and sexual assault of a 4-year-old girl from the Village of Plum Run in April. The crime shocked New Castle County and police labeled the abductor a "monster."

Santucci's arrest in the crime surfaced yesterday before New Castle County Police revealed his name during a news conference Monday afternoon. On his Facebook page, more than 50 hateful and expletive-filled messages appeared on recent status updates.

STORY: 'Monster' who abducted, sexually assaulted girl sought

STORY: Girl, 4, abducted in Pike Creek, later found

Police said on Monday that Santucci snatched the girl while she was playing with friends outside and sexually assaulted her before dumping her in a pond at the rear of Newport's Banning Park. The girl was spotted by a passing motorist who called the police, who took her to the hospital.

"I want to thank the victim for her bravery and her resolve. I also would like to thank once again the good Samaritan who saw this child that night, stopped their vehicle, comforted that child and called 9-1-1," New Castle County Police Col. Vaughn Bond said.

During the investigation, police found Santucci's black Honda Civic abandoned in the middle of Centerville Road with the driver's door open. They believed he staged his disappearance and later learned he'd fled to Florida on a Greyhound bus, an act which violates his probation for burglary. The probation violation allowed police in Tampa, Florida to arrest him on April 20, police said.

Bond said New Castle County Police received a call on April 11 from Elsmere police pointing to Santucci's as a person of interest based in part on descriptions of him and his vehicle. On that same day, county police found Santucci's abandoned car.

Bond said the date of the tip and his flight from Delaware are connected, but wouldn't give additional detail.

Authorities returned Santucci to Delaware on May 1. He is being held at Young Correctional Institution.

Police do not believe Santucci knew the little girl previously. They also found him in possession of child pornography unrelated to the kidnapping victim, police said.

Santucci has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, unlawful sexual contact with a person younger than 13 and possession of child pornography. He was arraigned and committed to Young Correctional Institution after he failed to post a cash-only bond of more than $1 million.

Santucci recently worked at home improvement company, according to coworker Jonathan Mathers.

Santucci went missing a few ago, Mathers said.

"We all were wondering where he was. My boss was concerned. He just dipped," Mathers said. "He was just one of the bros. We never thought that stuff was in his head."

Mathers, 21, was visiting his friend Michael Vietri, 21, at his home in Plum Run early Monday evening and both said the news has shaken them.

"I really didn't picture [the assailant] being a 23-year-old," Vietri said. "I pictured some 45-year-old creep, not a 23-year-old."

Residents will breathe more easily knowing an arrest has been made in a crime that rocked his sleepy neighborhood, Vietri said, but he doubts things will slip back into casual comfort anytime soon.

"Every parent is outside. It's not for the better, but it definitely goes to show all these parents are more aware now," Vietri said. "You could tell everyone was on edge."

Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 324-2785 or aduvernay@delawareonline.com.