2 West Haven residents accused of kidnapping, assault

Jason Kaufman, 31, is accused of kidnapping a woman and forcing her into the trunk of a vehicle. Jason Kaufman, 31, is accused of kidnapping a woman and forcing her into the trunk of a vehicle. Photo: Courtesy Of West Haven Police Photo: Courtesy Of West Haven Police Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close 2 West Haven residents accused of kidnapping, assault 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

WEST HAVEN >> Two city residents accused of kidnapping a woman and forcing her into the trunk of a car Tuesday were allegedly trying to get her to leave a local home.

Jason Kaufman, 31, of Beatrice Drive and Jenny Santamauro, 29, of Strathmore Road both are charged with second-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit second-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree unlawful restraint.

Police responded to Yale New Haven Hospital shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday on a report of domestic violence. The officer spoke with a 31-year-old woman, who was being treated for injuries suffered during an assault, the incident report said.

The alleged victim said she had been staying with Kaufman for the past few days, the report states. She told police she and Kaufman had been involved in an altercation Monday but she stayed with him because she had nowhere else to go. Christopher Nussas, 42, an acquaintance, told police Kaufman arrived at the Beatrice Drive house early Tuesday. Nussas told investigators that Kaufman and Santamauro, his child’s mother, intended to throw the woman out of the house, the report states.

The woman said she was awakened at about 1:45 a.m. when Kaufman and Santamauro kicked in the bedroom door. Kaufman and Santamauro allegedly began assaulting her and dragged her out of bed. She said they punched and kicked her on her body and head, the report states, dragged her down a flight of stairs and outside, where they continued to assault her, the report states. Nussas said he did not go into the house or witness any physical altercation inside but heard “a lot of screaming and yelling,” according to police.

The woman told police Kaufman and Santamauro dragged her across the driveway and the lawn, forcing her into the back seat of a gray Acura. She said Nussas was in the back seat of the car, but he allegedly told her he could not help her, the report states. Nussas said Kaufman and Santamauro had allegedly forced the woman into the back seat against her will, police said.

When they got to a playground with a gazebo in West Haven, Kaufman stopped the car, and he and Santamauro exited the vehicle. They then allegedly dragged the woman out of the vehicle to the side of the road and began assaulting her. They then opened the trunk of the car, forcing the woman inside, according to the report.

Nussas stated he kept telling Kaufman to stop but Kaufman did not listen, police said.

The woman was kicking the back seat of the car and was eventually able to unlock the trunk, but when the trunk opened, Kaufman allegedly began violently swerving the car, she told police. She thought this was an attempt by him to get her to fall out, police said.

Once the car slowed down, the woman jumped out and ran to a nearby house for help. Kaufman then drove away, and Milford police arrived shortly thereafter.

Patrols cars responded to Kaufman’s and Santamauro’s addresses, but officers were unable to locate anyone. The woman said Kaufman and Santamauro go to a methadone clinic every morning for treatment, and police went to the New Haven facility. Officers found Kaufman, Santamauro and Nussas in the parking lot in a gray Acura. Kaufman and Santamauro were both taken into custody.

A warrant check revealed Nussas had an outstanding warrant out of Trumbull for second-degree failure to appear and he was arrested.

A search-and-seizure warrant was issued for the Beatrice Drive house and the 2004 Acura.

Kaufman is on probation, and his probation officer was alerted. Both Kaufman and Santamauro are not allowed to have contact with the woman or each other, court documents show,

Both Kaufman and Santamauro were held in lieu of $100,000 bail and were arraigned in Superior Court in Milford.