Ex-Marine, 81, 'held hostage in New York motel room for 4 years'
The man, who has not been identified, was rescued from the motel located close to a police station
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Your support makes all the difference.An 81-year-old Marine Corps veteran was held hostage in a filthy room for four years by a man who stole his benefit payments, officials have alleged.
Police have said the former serviceman was held in a motel room in the town of Highlands, around 50 miles north of New York City. Officers said that they had arrested Perry Coniglio, who was living in the adjoining room of the motel, that stood next to the town’s police station.
The Associated Press said police have accused Mr Coniglio of using brute force and intimidation to get the veteran’s cooperation. Officers said that the elderly man was suffering from advanced dementia.
Police Chief Jack Quinn said the veteran received a “tremendous amount of money” each month in Social Security benefits, pension cheques and food stamps. The veteran, whose identity was not revealed, was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Mr Coniglio was on Thursday being held Thursday in the Orange County Jail on $15,000 bail. The charges against him include unlawful imprisonment. The Legal Aid Society lawyer representing him has yet to comment.
Mr Coniglio, of nearby Highland Falls, was arrested during a police raid captured on video by WABC-TV in New York City. The footage shows police taking him into custody at gunpoint while the bearded veteran sat on a bed in his cluttered room at the US Academy Motel.
Authorities said they were recently tipped off to the situation by neighbours, one of whom provided video showing the older man being physically abused outside his room.
It is unclear why the abuse was allowed to continue for so long, given that the motel is located close to the police station.
Detective Joseph Cornetta said police had heard from a number of veterans groups who have offered to help the man.
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