Man with knife demanded mother hand over her 2-year-old daughter, police say

Monday, October 14, 2024 4:39PM ET
SOUTH RICHMOND HILL, Queens (WABC) -- A man is under arrest after allegedly demanding a mother hand over her 2-year-old child last week in Queens.

Police say it happened on Oct. 10 at a laundromat in front of 108-15 Atlantic Avenue just before 3 p.m.

Peter Vonderhofen, 32, is accused of approaching a 31-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter before displaying a knife and demanding the mother hand over her child.


The mother ran away with her child and Vonderhofen got away on a bicycle. He was later arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping, criminal possession of weapon, acting in a manner injurious to a child and menacing.

The woman and her child were not injured.

Vonderhofen was arraigned Friday where he pleaded not guilty.



Bail was set at $15,000 cash and $45,000 bond. A temporary order of protection was issued.

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