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An Indian-origin man from Queens was charged with kidnapping a 19-year-old woman after allegedly stalking, threatening, and holding her against her will despite an active order of protection.
Balraj Singh, 28, of Richmond Hill, Queens, was arrested after the woman called 911 from a motel room in Huntington where police say she was being held against her will. Officers responding to the Abbey Motor Inn located the victim and took Singh into custody without incident, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Investigators said Singh had known the woman for more than a year and repeatedly contacted her in violation of a court-issued order of protection. Between mid-June and early July, he allegedly made repeated verbal and electronic threats against the woman and members of her family, causing her to fear for their safety.
According to court documents, Singh demanded that the woman meet him in Woodbury on July 6 and allegedly threatened her, saying, "I will slice you like an orange." Authorities also allege he warned that he would harm members of her family if she did not comply.
Police said the woman agreed to meet Singh because she feared he would carry out the threats. Once she entered his vehicle, Singh allegedly struck her several times in the face, refused to let her leave despite her repeated pleas, and displayed a box cutter. He then drove her to the Abbey Motor Inn on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington, where investigators say he told her, "You're never going back home."
Despite being held against her will, the woman managed to call 911 from the motel. Responding officers located her and arrested Singh without incident.
Authorities said the investigation also determined that Singh had repeatedly violated the order of protection by contacting the victim before the alleged kidnapping.
Singh has been charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, three counts of criminal contempt for allegedly violating the order of protection, three counts of second-degree aggravated harassment, second-degree menacing, and second-degree harassment. He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead and pleaded not guilty.
The charges are allegations, and Singh is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
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