Kidnapping suspect in jail

May 14, 2009 5:38 PM

Francine Sawyer

Sun Journal Staff

A 30-year-old New Bern man facing three counts of second-degree kidnapping among other charges is in the Pitt County jail with his bond set $136,000.

Deputy Police Chief Ed Preston said that Pitt County Sheriff's deputies working with New Bern police took Richard West of 608 Crawford St. into custody Wednesday.

Preston said that West was arrested by Pitt County deputies on two separate outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court on charges of assault by strangulation and assault on a female.

West is facing charges in Craven County by New Bern police on charges stemming from the May 5 kidnapping of Vanessa Avellino, 19, and her 20-month-old son, Jordan Avellino. The two were reported kidnapped by West around 8 p.m. on May 5. The two were found unharmed in Bridgeton that night and West left the area on foot.

West is the former boyfriend of Avellino and the father of Jordan, according to police.

He faces charges in New Bern of three counts of second-degree kidnapping, habitual assault and two counts of communicating threats.

West was picked up by Pitt officers at 7159 N.C. 11 Ayden without incident.

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