Man Charged In Norwich Assault, Kidnapping: PD

NORWICH, CT — A man is accused of assaulting a woman and kidnapping her two children, police said.

On Sunday around 6:20 p.m., police received a report of a woman yelling for help in the Otis Street area.

When officers arrived, the woman told them Jonathan Driscoll had taken her two children after assaulting her, police said.

Driscoll is the father of one of the children, but he is not related to the other child, according to police.

Police said an investigation determined Driscoll was “intoxicated, manic, and made numerous threats regarding the safety of the children.”

Officers tried to pull Driscoll’s vehicle over. Police said Driscoll attempted to engage the officers in a pursuit, but they didn’t chase his vehicle for safety reasons.

During negotiations with police, Driscoll said he had a firearm, according to police. After a “lengthy” investigation and negotiations with Driscoll, police said the children were ultimately returned to their mother, and police took Driscoll into custody.

Driscoll, 26, is charged with first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, two counts of risk of injury to a minor, second-degree threatening, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer, and reckless driving.

Driscoll was the subject of two active, unrelated warrants from state police, and he was held on a $200,000 bond.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Norwich police shift commander at 860-886-5561.