Couple arrested for kidnapping Queens man

BRENTWOOD, NY

Patrol Special Operation Team Officers Richard Tofano and Thomas Janickey stopped the driver a 2009 Lexus for a traffic violation on Brentwood Road in Brentwood.

During the stop, they say they saw that the driver, Daniel Levine, was wearing a police badge holder around his neck.

The passenger, a 44-year-old male victim, told the officers that Levine had identified himself as a police officer and forced him into the vehicle.

An investigation revealed that at approximately 12:15 p.m. Sunday, the victim, who was selling DVD's outside of a carwash on Lakeland Avenue in Bohemia, was approached by Levine who displayed a police badge holder, forced the victim into the Lexus and threatened to send the victim to jail unless he paid money.

Levine then allegedly drove to a Bohemia motel where he picked up his wife, Amanda Simmons and their four-month-old child.

The couple drove around while attempting to negotiate with the victim's family over the telephone and demanded money in exchange for his freedom.

25-year-old Daniel Levine was charged with Kidnapping 2nd Degree, Criminal Impersonation 1st Degree, Grand Larceny 2nd Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

20-year-old Amanda Simmons was charged with Kidnapping 2nd Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Both Levine and Simmons were arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday.

The child was release to a relative and the Suffolk County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services was notified.

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