Crime & Safety

Kidnapping Victim Faces Accused Attacker in Court

A 31-year-old St. Clair Shores man will stand trial in Macomb Circuit for allegedly tried to kidnap an 11-year-old girl as she rode her bicycle.

An 11-year-old girl who was grabbed and dragged off the bike she was riding down a neighborhood street took the stand Tuesday in 40th District Court against her accused attacker.

The young girl, whose name is not being used because she is a minor, was the only witness in the preliminary exam for Gaetano John Biondo, a convicted sex offender. He is charged with one count of kidnapping, child enticement, for allegedly trying to kidnap a girl June 9 as she road a bike on Joy street.

She stated that she had spent the night at her friend's house, and was riding her bike with her friend on the day of the incident. 

As she neared a tree, about three houses from her friend's house, she recalled seeing part of a red shirt. Initially she thought it was just a piece of fabric and passed the tree before turning around, but said it was actually Biondo hiding behind the tree.

While riding back to the house, she stated Biondo jumped from behind the tree and grabbed the girl by her wrists and pulled her off her bike. 

"It kind of startled me," she recalled.

She fell to the sidewalk, and said Biondo grabbed her by her wrist and leg before dragging her a short distance on the sidewalk toward the street. 

While he allegedly dragged her across the sidewalk, she screamed her friend's name. Her friend, who was near her house, then screamed out the name of the girl being dragged away.

"I wasn't really thinking at the time," the girl recalled of the incident. "I was shocked and scared at the same time."

Biondo then let go of the girl, slapped her face, and then fled the scene, she said.

Moments later, her mom arrived at the home and learned of what had happened. They drove around the neighborhood in attempt to find the man, but were unsuccessful.

They then called police who were able to identify a suspect who matched his description, and arrested the St. Clair Shores man. He was convicted in 2005 of using a computer to commit a crime, and was placed on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry.

Based on the testimony and evidence presented, Judge Joseph Oster bound Biondo over to stand trial in Macomb County Circuit Court. He is being held in the Macomb County Jail without bond pending his arraignment in Circuit Court on Sept. 9.

If convicted, he faces life in prison.


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