Montville man charged in kidnapping

MONTVILLE Police have charged Christopher T. Conzola, 38, of Montville in the Tuesday kidnapping of an adult woman in his Eugene Drive home, officials said.

Township police received a 911 call in the early morning hours Tuesday stating a man was holding a hostage at knifepoint, according to a statement released by Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Montville Township Police Chief Rudolf Appelmann.

Upon arrival, police made contact with Conzola but that communication was terminated, according to the statement.

Police had closed off an area around 48 Eugene Drive and issued an alert warning people to stay away and advising them to keep schoolchildren out of the street. Bus and car traffic was not allowed in the area of Conklin and Eugene drives.

Ultimately, law enforcement officers from the Morris County Sheriff's Emergency Response Team were able to enter the home, police said. Conzola resisted when officers tried to detain him. One officer sustained minor injuries during the altercation.

Conzola was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats, and resisting arrest.

The victim, who was held in the home by Conzola, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and ultimately released.

Cash-only bail was set at $400,000 with additional conditions, according to officials. Conzola will be remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Also working on the case were the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and the Criminal Investigation Section of the Morris County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Lorraine Ash: 973-428-6660; lash@njpressmedia.com