A woman on her way to Mercy Hospital asked to speak with police around 1am Tuesday, telling officers she had been held against her will by a man she knew. That conversation led to the arrest of 31-year-old Christopher Miranda Figueroa of Buffalo, who now faces kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment and criminal obstruction of breathing charges.
Woman Says Altercation Turned Violent
According to audacy.com, the woman told police a verbal altercation with Figueroa escalated into physical violence. She claimed he beat her and dragged her down a flight of stairs, and several hours later she called 911. First responders then reported that an assault victim was heading to Mercy Hospital and wanted to speak with officers, according to News 4 Buffalo.
Buffalo police responded after getting word from first responders early Tuesday. The station's report notes officers connected with the woman as she sought care, and her account of the alleged assault led directly to Figueroa's arrest.
Charges Filed Against Figueroa
Figueroa was charged with second-degree kidnapping, two counts of second-degree assault, first-degree unlawful imprisonment and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, per the same account from audacy.com. Under New York law, a person is guilty of kidnapping in the second degree when he abducts another person, according to the New York State Senate's penal code. The unlawful imprisonment charge is defined by statute as restraining another person under circumstances that expose that person to a risk of serious physical injury, per the New York State Senate.
Beyond the reported account of the alleged assault and the charges filed, further details about the case have not been made public.
