Man kidnaps, feeds person he thought was homeless

A Connecticut man is accused of kidnapping a man he thought was homeless, then feeding him in his home.

Police responding to a home on West Wooster Street in Danbury just before 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving an animal complaint were met with a 77-year old man who told them the strange series of events leading up to the complaint.

He said he'd been pushing a carriage of cans and bottles down Lincoln Avenue when another man approached him, and insisted that the man follow him, police said.

The victim said the man, identified as David Pope, grabbed him by the arm, escorted him back to Pope's residence and then brought him inside, police said. While they were inside the home, Pope's dog, a pit bull or Staffordshire Terrier,bit the victim’s leg, police said.

 

Even after the dog bite, Pope proceeded to feed the victim, a news release from police says. At one point, the victim was able to leave Pope’s house without being detected, went to his own house and called police.

 

When police officers went to speak with Pope, he refused to put his dog away so officers could not safely interview him.

 

When officers did eventually speak with Pope, he appeared to be drunk and said he thought the victim was homeless and was offering him food. Pope was charged with interfering with the duties of an officer, second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree kidnapping and disorderly conduct.

 

David was held on a $500 bond. It's not clear if he is being represented by an attorney.