KIANTONE – A man who evaded arrest in Kiantone for a week was found hiding in a crawlspace Saturday, state police said.
Roman Gedz, 50, of Busti, was charged with unlawful imprisonment, criminal contempt, two counts of criminal mischief, harassment and acting in a manner injurious to a child, authorities said.
Gedz is accused of forcing his way into the vehicle of a woman and her 12-year-old son on July 27 and demanding to be taken to her home, where he threatened her and damaged property, including her telephone, when she tried to call the police, officials said.
When the victim’s daughter arrived and called 911, according to police, Gedz fled into a wooded area. Warrants were issued for his arrest, authorities said.
On Saturday, police said, the woman returned home and noticed items in the house that weren’t there before and heard a suspicious noise upstairs.
An initial search of the house by police failed to find anyone but the woman tipped off investigators to a hidden crawlspace on the second floor behind a closet — which is where investigators found Gedz, police said.
Gedz is currently being held in the Chautauqua County Jail pending a bail recommendation.
Roman Gedz, 50, of Busti, was charged with unlawful imprisonment, criminal contempt, two counts of criminal mischief, harassment and acting in a manner injurious to a child, authorities said.
Gedz is accused of forcing his way into the vehicle of a woman and her 12-year-old son on July 27 and demanding to be taken to her home, where he threatened her and damaged property, including her telephone, when she tried to call the police, officials said.
When the victim’s daughter arrived and called 911, according to police, Gedz fled into a wooded area. Warrants were issued for his arrest, authorities said.
On Saturday, police said, the woman returned home and noticed items in the house that weren’t there before and heard a suspicious noise upstairs.
An initial search of the house by police failed to find anyone but the woman tipped off investigators to a hidden crawlspace on the second floor behind a closet — which is where investigators found Gedz, police said.
Gedz is currently being held in the Chautauqua County Jail pending a bail recommendation.