Edited by: TJVNews.com

The alleged kidnapper involved in the case of a Connecticut doctor being held hostage and forced to pay for a $6,000 shopping spree has been released on a “promise to appear” back in court, as was reported by the New York Post. However, recent revelations cast doubt on the accuracy of the information he provided to authorities. Anthony Benjamin, 42, of the Bronx, who is accused of kidnapping 32-year-old ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon Michael Bautista, presented authorities with inaccurate contact details and a false address, raising concerns about the validity of his release conditions, the Post report added.

According to official release paperwork filed in Connecticut Superior Court, Benjamin provided an address on Lafayette Avenue. However, inquiries conducted by The Post revealed that Benjamin had not lived at that address for about five years, according to the woman who identified herself as the mother of his child. A neighbor confirmed this, telling The Post that Benjamin “hasn’t been around in some time.” The neighbor added, “I’m glad,” and said that police would often have to break up domestic disputes when he did show up, the Post report added.

Furthermore, Benjamin’s contact information also appeared to be incorrect. When a reporter from The Post called the number he provided, the person on the other end claimed to have no knowledge of him. This discrepancy in his contact information raises questions about how authorities will be able to contact Benjamin for any future proceedings related to the case, as was reported by the Post.

While the Norwalk Police Department seemed unconcerned when questioned about Benjamin’s whereabouts, the release of the alleged kidnapper is puzzling given the severity of the charges he faces, according to the Post report. Benjamin was initially held on bails of $1 million and $250,000, but he and co-defendant Steve Daley were released after agreeing to appear in court and not have contact with Bautista, the report added. Their next hearing is scheduled for September 19.

Benjamin’s court-appointed attorney, Benjamin Aponte, did not respond to inquiries from the Post about whether he’d been in touch with his client. And the Norwalk Police Department seemed unconcerned when reached by The Post Thursday.

“You can’t find him for an interview, that’s not my problem,” said one officer, who identified himself as Det. Sgt. Young, as was reported by the Post. “I have no comment.”

The case itself involves the alleged kidnapping of Dr. Michael Bautista outside the Brooklyn Mirage music venue on July 22^nd. Bautista claims that he was kidnapped by Benjamin, who forced him to pay for a shopping spree through the Bronx, costing over $6,100. Much of that was spent on shoes, hats, pizza, smoothies, haircuts and a strip club, according to police sources and an incident report from the Norwalk Police Department, as was reported by the Post.

The doctor recounted that Benjamin appeared armed and made threatening statements during the ordeal, the Post report noted.

Benjamin got more aggressive as time went on, telling Bautista that he had “put people in body bags before” and he wasn’t afraid to “let bullets fly,” according to the police report, and reported on by the Post.

“If you do anything funny, I’ll kill you,” Benjamin allegedly told Bautista, according to law enforcement sources.

Bautista managed to convince Benjamin to drive him back to Connecticut, where he alerted security at Norwalk Hospital about the situation, leading to the arrest of Benjamin and Daley.

The Post report also indicated that the Brooklyn Mirage is known to be a magnet for shadowy characters looking to take advantage of drunk or otherwise impaired patrons stumbling out after events.

This summer, two 27-year-old men disappeared from the site on two different nights before each turned up dead in a nearby creek that runs through Brooklyn’s industrial section, the Post report added.

The evolving details of the case raise concerns about the accuracy of the information provided by the alleged kidnapper and the response of the authorities involved. As the investigation continues, the situation is becoming increasingly complex, further highlighting the importance of a thorough and accurate legal process in cases of this nature.