Cops: Danbury man mistaken as homeless gets kidnapped

David Pope, 57, of Lincoln Avenue, Danbury, is facing multiple charges after police said he kidnapped a man he mistook for a homeless person Wednesday, Aug. 26. David Pope, 57, of Lincoln Avenue, Danbury, is facing multiple charges after police said he kidnapped a man he mistook for a homeless person Wednesday, Aug. 26. Photo: Contributed / Danbury Police Department Photo: Contributed / Danbury Police Department Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Cops: Danbury man mistaken as homeless gets kidnapped 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

DANBURY — A 77-year-old man was pushing a carriage of cans and bottles down Lincoln Avenue Wednesday evening when he was kidnapped by a man who reportedly mistook him for a homeless person, police said.

The suspect, David Pope, grabbed the man by his arm and escorted him to his house, where the evening turned even more bizarre, according to police. The victim was first bitten in the leg by Pope’s dog, a Staffordshire terrier, and he was then given something to eat, police said.

Although the bite broke the man’s skin, Pope continued to cut meat and feed his victim, according to the report. The victim told police he accepted the food because he “was afraid for his life and afraid the dog would bite him again,” Lt. Christian Carroccio said.

The victim, who lives on West Wooster Street, was eventually able to leave the house without Pope seeing him, and he called police when he got home, according to the report.

When officers went to speak with Pope, he refused to put his dog away, Carroccio said. The suspect, who seemed intoxicated, was eventually taken into custody.

He told police he thought the man was homeless and was offering him food, Carroccio said.

Pope was charged with second-degree kidnapping, second-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct. He was held on a $500 bond and was scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Thursday.