Prosecutor: Ansonia suspect could face more charges

DERBY — A judge ordered a New York man held on $50,000 bond Monday in connection with an incident in Ansonia Saturday initially described as an abduction.

Police said the suspect, 23-year-old Joshua Lopez, showed up at a family party, demanded his 6-month-old daughter, and threatened those in attendance before forcing the baby’s mother into his car while the child was in her arms.

The woman and her daughter were later picked up by a relative unharmed in Shelton, where police took Lopez into custody.

He faces charges of violating a protective order and breach of peace in the case, but a prosecutor told Judge Scott Jones during Lopez’s arraignment Monday that could change.

“There is an ongoing investigation with regard to this matter,” the prosecutor, Kim Northrup, said. “It’s being reviewed to see if there may be additional charges.”

She asked a judge to set bond at $75,000, noting Lopez’s minimal ties to the state.

Assistant Public Defender Rosanna Cappetta called the bond request “excessive,” and asked the judge to release Lopez on a promise to appear, noting he had no criminal record.

But the judge noted the ongoing investigation and Lopez’s potential flight risk before setting bond at $50,000 and continuing the case to Oct. 6.

“I definitely think some bond is warranted, especially as to how the police report reads,” Jones said.

According to the report, a witness told police Lopez was “verbally combative” when he showed up at the party at a home on High Street about 5:15 p.m. and repeatedly said “I want my daughter.”

People there then mentioned a protective order in connection with a pending assault case in New York, the report states.

When told to leave, the report states Lopez said, “Oh you guys want to act like that now watch what I’m going to do,” then made his way to the trunk of the vehicle, where he appeared to be grabbing something.

The family ran back to the house because they thought he might brandish a gun or weapon. But the witness said Lopez slammed the trunk of the vehicle, got into the driver’s seat, and grabbed the wrist of his daughter’s mother, who was holding the baby in her arms, telling her to get in, before fleeing with the pair.

When the judge Monday issued new protective orders barring Lopez from having contact with either, Lopez said “I can’t see my child?”

“This is subject to modification down the road, but as it stands today, these conditions apply,” Jones said.