On Thursday, Suffolk police announced that they had arrested Donald Cristiano, Jr. after he allegedly lured two young teen girls into his car, impersonating an officer, then drove off with one of the girls and inappropriately touched her.
As previously reported, on Tuesday afternoon, February 3, a 14 and 16-year old girl were walking to a library in Lindenhurst when a man drove up to them in a white SUV and identified himself as an officer. The man drove the girls to a nearby library and asked the older girl to get out so he could talk to the younger one. He then drove off to a park where began grabbing at her. She was able to fight him off and flee the vehicle. The young girl ran to a nearby home for help and the homeowner called 911. Her friend alerted a local crossing guard who also assisted.
Cristiano, Jr., 46, of Bay Shore, was charged with two counts of Kidnapping 2nd Degree, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of Criminal Impersonation 1st Degree and one count of Luring a Child. He is set to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.
Now, detectives are asking anyone who had any contact with Donald Cristiano, Jr. on the day the kidnapping occurred to reach out to the First Squad at (631) 854-8152.