
Lopez
ANSONIA — A 23-year-old man was charged with violating a protective order and second-degree breach of peace after allegedly forcing a woman and their baby into his car Saturday.
The suspect, Joshua Lopez, is scheduled to appear in court in Derby on Monday (Aug. 29).
A woman called police at about 5:15 p.m. Saturday and reported that Lopez forced her 22-year-old sister and her sister’s six-month old daughter into his Honda Accord on High Street, police said.
Lopez is the baby’s father.
“The complainant reported Joshua implied he had a gun but no weapon was displayed,” according to a statement Sunday (Aug. 28) from Ansonia police.
Ansonia police asked for the public’s help in solving the abduction by putting photos of the three people on social media, along with a photo of the car they were thought to be in. A multitude of police departments in at least two states were notified, too.
At about 7 p.m. Shelton police located Lopez and the car on Bridgeport Avenue. No weapons were found.
The mother and baby were not on scene, but police said they had been picked up by another family member. They were not harmed.
Police said Lopez had previously been ordered by a judge in New York City to stay away from the woman.
Lopez is being held on a $10,000 bond. More charges are possible.
Ansonia police noted help for people in domestic violence situations is available locally. The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, a program of BHcare, can be reached by phone at 203 – 736-9944, 203 – 789-8104 or 1 – 888-774‑2900.