Posted on 07/21/2016 12:05:07 PM PDT by PROCON
HIGHLANDS, N.Y. — A man held an 81-year-old Marine Corps veteran hostage in his squalid motel room for at least four years in order to steal his benefits checks, authorities said Thursday.
Perry Coniglio was arrested Tuesday in his room adjoining the victim's at a motel in Highlands. The motel sits next door to the police station in the Hudson Valley town, about 50 miles north of New York City.
Coniglio, 43, used brute force and intimidation to get the mentally diminished veteran to cooperate with him, police said. The elderly man has advanced dementia, according to police.
Police Chief Jack Quinn said the veteran received a "tremendous amount of money" each month in Social Security benefits, pension checks and food stamps, though investigators wouldn't divulge the exact total.
The veteran was taken to a hospital for evaluation. His name hasn't been released by police.
Coniglio was being held Thursday in the Orange County Jail on $15,000 bail. The charges against him include grand larceny and unlawful imprisonment. The Legal Aid Society attorney representing him wasn't available for comment.
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 Coniglio into custody at gunpoint while the bearded veteran sat on a bed in his cluttered room at the U.S. Academy Motel.
Authorities said they were recently tipped off to the situation by neighbors, one of whom provided video showing the older man being physically abused outside his room.
It couldn't be learned from police why the alleged abuse continued for so long at the L-shaped motel that's just a few steps away from a building housing a police station and an ambulance service. The motel is located just south of West Point, home to the U.S. Military Academy.
Detective Joseph Cornetta said police have heard from a number of veterans groups who have offered to help the man, while the county Adult Protective Services is working with police to find the man a new residence.
Just another example of the downfall of American society.
Public executions are greatly needed.
I often wonder if they think we would be more outraged that they held a demented VET rather than the run of the mill kidnapping and imprisonment?
His being a veteran is not really part of the story.
$15,000 bail for kidnapping ??
Noose
“81? Probably served in the Pacific and/or Korea.Execute this piece of excrement! “
An 81 year old was born about 1935, which makes him clearly too young for WWII and barely old enough for the end of Korea.
There is no such thing, as “an ex Marine.” BTW as I was taught by my purple heart Okinawa USMC veteran father.
This perp needs to be thrown UNDER the jail.
There is no such thing, as “an ex Marine.”
A few exceptions, I’ve been told: Dan Rather, the Baton Rouge murderer. . .
No, but IMO, it makes it just that much more outrageous.
Lee Harvey Oswald
Some crooks you want to throw in jail.
Some crooks you want to grab a Louisville Slugger and go all “Inglourious Basterds” on them ...
His being a veteran is not really part of the story.
Sure it is as it gives context to the incident.
Lock him in a room with some Marines. Doesn’t even have to be 4 years... 4 hours would probably be plenty!
My immediate thought. An appallingly small amount.
A. Dump him at Parris Island.
B. Give everyone there legal immunity.
Skip the jail, just put him in a room with a few marines, and turn the security cameras off. . .
Really, it is. Think about it.
I miss the old days too....
Let ‘em dangle.
Pray for this older man.
Public hangings ought to make a comeback.
I’m always amazed (horrified)at what people will to others.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.