In a surprising turn of events, Connecticut state prosecutors have decided to withdraw charges against two men from the Bronx, previously implicated in the abduction of a doctor outside a Brooklyn nightclub. The decision came after the alleged victim expressed his reluctance to further collaborate with law enforcement officials.
Anthony Benjamin, 42, and Steve Daley, 50, were accused of forcibly taking Michael Bautista, a 32-year-old ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon from Norwalk, Connecticut, from outside the Brooklyn Mirage venue last summer. The incident led to an enforced spree across New York City, involving extravagant expenditures. However, Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Valdes revealed during a February hearing that Bautista had chosen not to “cooperate” with the prosecutors, a statement supported by The Hour.
The case’s foundation largely rested on Bautista’s testimony. Without his cooperation, prosecutors found themselves at a standstill, as reported by the local press. Consequently, the charges against Daley were dismissed on February 26, with Benjamin’s charges expected to be dropped during his next court appearance on April 15.
This development might mark an unusual conclusion to a case that has captured public attention. Bautista had previously recounted how, after attending a show on July 21 at the Brooklyn Mirage—a venue notorious for attracting criminal activities—he became entangled with the duo. According to a Norwalk Police report, Daley was behind the wheel of the taxi Bautista entered, with Benjamin comfortably seated in the back.
The pair allegedly declined to return the doctor to his vehicle. Instead, they embarked on a lavish spree in the Bronx, compelling Bautista to finance Benjamin’s shopping for clothes and shoes, a barber visit, and an evening at a strip club. The police report, as obtained by The Hour, also detailed how Bautista was coerced into purchasing pizza and smoothies. Benjamin, who claimed to be armed throughout the ordeal, allegedly forced Bautista to withdraw cash from ATMs, which he then distributed among his acquaintances.
The escapade concluded at the Connecticut hospital where Bautista was employed, leading to the arrest of the accused kidnappers on July 23. Initially, the court set their bonds at $1 million for Benjamin and $250,000 for Daley. However, these were later reduced to mere promises to appear in court after both a prosecutor and a public defender voiced concerns over the evidence’s credibility. Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning highlighted the lack of independent corroboration of Bautista’s account as a significant factor in this decision.
While the case’s dismissal might relieve Daley, Benjamin remains detained at Rikers Island on separate charges, including theft of a wallet, driver’s license, and iPhone in Midtown West last fall, as per jail records. The reasons behind Bautista’s decision to cease cooperation with the authorities remain unclear, adding another layer of mystery to this already complex case.