Connecticut man allegedly kidnaps teen, hides her in trunk, and tries driving into Canada

ST. ALBANS, Vt. (TCD) -- A 19-year-old Connecticut man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, hiding her in his trunk, and attempting to drive across the U.S. border into Canada.

Vermont State Police said in a statement Friday they were working alongside federal law enforcement officials to investigate an alleged kidnapping that was thwarted at the U.S.-Canada border on Interstate 89.

According to Vermont State Police, on the morning of Dec. 2, Christopher Jesus Constanzo allegedly went to a convenience store near Burlington. He reportedly took the victim out of the trunk of his Toyota Camry and sat her in the back seat before driving towards the border. State Police say this occurred near Exit 16 at Maplefields and at least one person might have witnessed it. Constanzo was reportedly seen on surveillance footage at the convenience store at approximately 3:40 a.m.

About four hours later at 7:30 a.m., Constanzo made it to the border but was turned away by Canadian authorities. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents spoke with Constanzo and the victim, and the victim reportedly told officials she was kidnapped and had been sexually assaulted.

Constanzo was arrested and will likely face federal charges, according to Vermont State Police.

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