We continue to believe this was an isolated incident and wish to stress that our campus is safe.'. I was thinking about my family, parents, and God. Cancela en cualquier momento. Why don't you have the two girls come over to my apartment and we can hang out with them there.' Seminole is located at 2750?19?N 8247?6?W / 27.83861N 82.785W / 27.83861; -82.785 (27.838502, -82.784913). It's now Sunday night, 9 p.m., almost 40 hours into this kidnapping nightmare. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In November, four of those defendants received sentences ranging from 13 to 35 years in prison. One had been shot in the leg ahead of the rescue. UR abduction case:Mistaken identity may have led abductors to UR students. The remaining two, Inalia Rolldan and Ruth Lora, were each given seven-year sentences after being convicted on kidnapping and weapons charges. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. "After about six hours we were able to get a couple of good locations where these girls last saw Nico and Ani," said Peters. Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo, both University of Rochester football players from Illinois, were lured to a home for what they thought was a Saturday night house party. Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo, both seniors at the school, were reported missing on Saturday evening under "suspicious circumstances," police said. Turns out Nicholas had been shot twice, once in each leg. Kollias was shot in his legs. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Kollias and Ewo were lured to the Harvest Street home by two women they did not know late one Friday night. "I didn't know what was going on," said Nicholas. Would love your thoughts, please comment. During the trial, Strickland was said to be the mastermind and was given a 155-year sentence, with Rivera being given 35 years. Police: 2 New York college students abducted, held hostage "The torture consists of something you would see in a movie, but it's not a movie because this is real life," he said. Then they find the second girl, Leah Gigliotti. They soon catch a break when they track down the girl who messaged Ani. Seminole, North American Indian tribe of Creek origin who speak a Muskogean language. I didnt want to die and give in to these people.. Fourth UR abduction defendant accepts plea. The pair went to a house that reeked of urine and sat on a sofa. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The second thing was both gentleman were prolific on social media, always updating what they were doing, where they were, and that it stopped cold Friday night. Sexual assault alleged in UR kidnapping case - Democrat and Chronicle Find service information, send flowers, and leave memories and thoughts in the Guestbook for your loved one. Police said they were . He says during their 40-hour ordeal, he received more of the abuse than Ani did, and he thinks he knows why. Three of the defendants are sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison. "They were drinking and having a good time while there were people dying in the other room," he said. Seniors Ani Okeke Ewo of Aurora, Illinois, and Nicholas Kollias of Northbrook, Illinois, both 21, were last seen Saturday around 2 a.m. near campus in a white 2005 BMW SUV, according to the . "They were having so much enjoyment with it that they started recording it.". "There was remnants of tape around their ankles and hands. For 40 hours, Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo were tied up in a bedroom in the house at 22 Harvest Street in Rochester. Other known charges are as follows: Dennis Perez: Twocounts of first-degree gang assault, six counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree robbery, ninecounts of first-degree predatory sexual assault, one count of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon. "I only made it about halfway across the room before I felt something like being pressed up to the side of my upper leg, and then the next thing I remember is just being on the ground.". Lydell Strickland, 26, was sentenced to155 years in prison for planning the attack as well as charges ofrobbery, assault and sex abuse. I was thinking about my family, parents, and God. All six suspects are due in court on Friday for a preliminary hearing. "I was the one that got the majority of all of the beating and abuse, and so, you know, it was just not a good experience to have someone who you thought you could trust and just kind of being the complete opposite to you.". If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. "I didn't think I was going to make it until (that) Monday," Kollias, 23, told theChicago TribuneTuesday. On December 4, 2015, Ani and Kollias were hanging out with their friends from the football team, when they were approached by a lady Samantha Hughes, who tried to friend the two players on Facebook earlier in the week. But why? Of the nefarious nine suspects, five end up taking plea deals, including Samantha Hughes and Leah Gigliotti, the women who lured Nicholas and Ani to the house that night. "They put flammable liquids on us, saying they were going to light us on fire," he said. "So I put my hands up and I'm like, 'I'm innocent, please don't shoot me again.' "I am not going to let these individuals mess up the rest of my life, and so that's why I am trying to be optimistic and just positive and move forward in the best way that I can.". Rolldan and Lora reportedly guarded the abducted students, until SWAT teams rescued the two on Sunday. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Dr. Nikolaos Koutsonikolis, MD | Ocala, FL - Vitals In this undated photo provided by the University of Rochester, Ani Okeke Ewo poses for a photo. He may have made it there, but he wasn't home free. Police said Nicholas Kollias, of Northbrook, Illinois, who was shot, and Ani Okeke Ewo,. He tried to sprint to a door, and was shot in the leg. Image source: University of Rochester Athletics, Amanda Pflugrad Age, Husband, Career, and Other Facts, Joao Maleck Five Fast Facts About The Rising Star, Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes, Sade is a contributor with a bias on Nigerian stars, Lexie Bigham How He Began, What He Did, How He Died, Jessi Nakles Heres Everything We Know About Her, What Became of Sean Caracena And Cause Of His Death, Simon Jacques Bio, Career Highlights, Cause of Death, Martell Lane: How He Started And How He Died. "This is gonna be a hostage rescue," said Peters. "The drug dealers, when they came back, were looking for the people who lived in that apartment, not realizing that it was just being used by somebody else. Rochester Police launch a full investigation, getting search warrants for the boys' phones and Facebook accounts. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Police: 4 women and 2 men charged in U of R students' kidnapping - News - Fairport-E.Rochester Post - Fairport, NY. Niko Kollias, victim in UR abduction case, describes torture "At that point I got up, trying to run for the exit," Nicholas Kollias, now 22, testified Thursday about the attack that precipitated the hours of torture he and classmate, Ani Okeke Ewo, were . Dec. 7, 2015 , updated When the kidnapping turn out to be a mistake of identity and resulted in complex deceit where drug dealer Smith had arranged an earlier fake robbery earlier. "For me, I have always said I don't want this to hold me back, I don't want this to label me," said Nicholas. "So it was almost as if they were like trying to cover their tracks.". The video they shot is graphic. Growing up in an upscale suburb of Chicago, Nicholas Kollias was the all-American high school kid. Upon entry, the SWAT team sees two individuals. "I feel like for each of these defendants and for these victims, that justice was served," said Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley. Ani Okeke Ewo (left) and Nicholas Kollias (right), both 21-year-old students at the University of Rochester, were abducted and held hostage for 43 hours until a SWAT team rescued them. What Nicholas doesn't know is that the cavalry is on the way. However, on Sunday evening there was a huge explosion and flash as the SWAT team burst into the house and rescued the two men. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Police believe it was a premeditated attack. Tambin sin conexin. But soon the changing scenery catches Nicholas's attention. Strickland and company then wanted revenge. Hearings to determine attorneys for the others are expected later this week, a court employee said. Ani Okeke Ewo (left) and Nicholas Kollias (right) were rescued from a house in Rochester, N.Y., where they were held against their will for most of the weekend. Ani Okeke Ewo is a student at The University of Rochester who is believed to be in his early twenties and played as a cornerback for The University of Rochester football team and hometown Romeoville, Illinois. They'd take our wallet, everything from me, my keys, my phone, my wallet.". Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. According to the Post, Kollias and Ewo, both of whom played on the university's football team, were targeted becauseStrickland and his co-defendants mistakenly believed that they were involved in the robbery of a group of drug dealers in November 2015. The captors put Ani in the bedroom. Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo, both seniors at the university, were reported missing on Saturday evening under suspicious circumstances. They were eventually located at a residence approximately four miles from campus and were rescued by a SWAT team on Sunday evening. College football players Ani Okeke Ewo and Nicholas Kollias were The ambush was quick, the weapons everywhere. As Christine and I got ready for this trial, it was harder to figure out what we weren't going to use than it was to figure out what we were going to use. Authorities later said they had been targeted in a case of mistaken identityafter marijuana dealers were beaten and robbed by someone else at Ewo's apartment a month earlier. The studentsapparently were victims of mistaken identity,targeted by six or more suspectsand abducted on Dec. 5, asretribution for a drug-related robbery in which neither was involved. Find the girls and maybe they'll find the boys. They were instead held against their will, beaten, shot and sexually assaulted over the course of 40 hours. Copy Link Copy Link Summary; 2 former friends, football players, and frat brothers, get kidnapped, assaulted, and help captive for 40 hours. "My life was put in jeopardy on numerous occasions all because of Isaiah getting bailed out, and poor decision-making on many university officials.". Perhaps Its Time For The Johnsons Sitcom To End, Hannah Cheramy What You Must Know About The Rising Star. After a month-long trial, all four defendants are found guilty on all counts. "In reality they were saving my life. The university responded in part: "We disagree with Mr. Kollias's assertions but we continue to wish him the best as he moves forward after this traumatic experience." The two were rescued by a Rochester police SWAT team. All rights reserved (About Us). Police charge 6 with kidnapping 2 University of Rochester students It was not just about money, but revenge. Some defendants and, at times,victims' names, were redacted in the indictment. All rights reserved. The pair of ladies were high and drunk, with Hughes having taken weed and Gigliotti snorting cocaine, although they passed some booze back to Ewo and Kollias to get them high before setting off. Aisha Hinds: Age, Family, Career, Is She Gay? All rights reserved (About Us). They roll up. They were instead held against their will, beaten, shot and sexually assaulted over the course of 40 hours. ", "I thought the house was being burned down," said Nicholas. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Release of the indictments, while partly redacted for sensitivity, offered a harrowing glimpse intowhat UR President Joel Seligman would later describe as the "intimidating and demeaning treatment" that the pair endured. As the sun began to set on Sunday, Kollias thought he was going to die from his injuries. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The night ahead was looking good. As the investigation begins, cops find a stomach-churning video on one of the violent kidnapper's cellphones. Nikolaos Kollias ( Greek: ; born in Selitsa, Voio) was a Greek revolutionary and soldier. Im not going to close my eyes. Cancela en cualquier momento. Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo were last seen around 2 a.m. Saturday near the school. Nicholas spent the next 25 days in intensive care. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. That's when I thought it was all over.". Criminal indictments unsealed Wednesday in the kidnapping of two University ofRochester football players add multiple counts of predatory sexual assault as well as firearms chargesagainst at least two of the defendants. Our focus as a university is on our two students as they recover from their ordeal. Listen for free View show details . Something particularly horrible like this, Schwartz told the Chicago Tribune, sometimes its worse than homicide. "They put me into the shower where they started washing me, and the entire tub is just red," said Nicholas. "They tied up our hands and legs and dragged Ani and I into this bathroom," said Nicholas Kollias. The Democrat and Chronicle reports that. Smith was also charged and was given a 13-year sentence for the robbery that triggered the later events while the two ladies who were used as bait were given over 12 years each for their part in luring the men to the house. "I just feel like with everything that happened, I feel like he had more to do with it than he will ever admit," said Nicholas Kollias. Also the fact that they had been out of contact with everybody else.". They got us out of the house, got me into an ambulance and off to the hospital.". "I just remember seeing both of my parents, and more specifically my father, he just came over to me in the stretcher and stuff, and he was like 'You're safe now and you're going to be all right,'" said Nicholas. "This is a once-in-a-career rescue. "It was dark out and from the outside it seemed like a decent house," said Nicholas. Samantha Hughes and Leah Gigliotti, the girls who lured the football players to that house of horrors, eventually gave police two addresses. He says after Isaiah Smith was arrested, a football coach bailed Smith out of jail, then failed to inform the student body of the severity of the crime, all in an attempt to give their star athlete preferential treatment. "My femur was completely broken in half," he said. "One of four boys, just a really close-knit family, very caring parents," Nicholas tells Crime Watch Daily. Once inside, Kollias said, the assault began. "I didn't think I was going to make it until (that) Monday," Kollias, 23, told theChicago TribuneTuesday. Koblas, Nikolai - The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. (Rochester Police. "At this point, my body was broken down and I didn't know how much longer I could go on," he said. Two University of Rochester Students Rescued Following Abduction - People She was with her friend and 20-year-old Leah Gigliotti to pick up Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo. PICTURED: The six accused of abducting two Rochester students Few details of what transpired during those 40 hours had been released, other than that the pair were allegedlythreatened, beaten and terrorized. Lydell Strickland gets 155 years to life. Growing up in an upscale suburb of Chicago, Nicholas Kollias was the all-American high school kid. Jurors were shown a cellphone video that captured a portion of the ordeal. Then Rochester Deputy Chief Scott Peters puts together a plan with the SWAT commander. Rolidan alsofaces charges of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. This pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. University of Rochester students abducted, held hostage What was the monsters' motive for perpetrating this horrific crime? Authorities have said that UR seniors Ani Okeke Ewo and Nicholas Kollias were held and terrorized for 40 hours before being rescued by a Rochester police SWAT team. Ani lies bleeding on the floor as the attacker prods and threatens him with an electric hedge-trimmer. Survivor Story 5 - Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo. The gang members arrested were Lydell Strickland, 26, Dennis Perez, 23, Leah Gigliotti, 20, Samantha Hughes, 19, Inalia Rolldan,19, and David Alcaraz-Ubiles. A month later, all of the perpetrators are in custody: nine in total, five men and four women. Over the next 40 hours, the pair were repeatedly tortured and sexually abused, including being cut with knives and a chainsaw and being doused with flammable liquids. I was thinking about my family, parents and God. Kollias also suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg in the ordeal. Descubre Audible con un mes de prueba gratis. It's not over. "A normal person that you meet up with is not gonna tell that to the police, so we knew that it wasn't normal.". In the moments after Ewo and Kollias arrived, the house went dark and a group of masked men pounced on the pair, binding them in duct tape and taking them into a bathroom. Lydell Strickland, David Alcaraz-Ubiles, Inalia Rolldan andRuth Loraare now on trial for alleged roles in the abduction and subsequent brutality. Seminole Wars, (1817-18, 1835-42, 1855-58), three conflicts between the United States and the Seminole Indians of Florida in the period before the American Civil War that ultimately resulted in the opening of the Seminole's desirable land for white exploitation and settlement. "My body was in such bad shape," said Nicholas Kollias. University of Rochester students Ani Okeke Ewo, left, and Nicholas Kollias are seen in undated photos distributed by authorities after their 2015 abduction. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Ani Okeke Ewo has never been considered anything other than a victim. Both students, but especially Nicholas, are in bad shape. Nicholas Kollias, of Northbrook, Illinois, and Ani Okeke Ewo, of Aurora, Illinois, were reported missing Saturday evening, hours after they were last seen near the school. Police said Nicholas Kollias of Northbrook, Illinois, and Ani Okeke Ewo, of Aurora, Illinois, were abducted and held hostage. "There were just multiple banks all over the city of Rochester that Lydell Strickland was seen using Nicolas's TD Ameritrade card," said Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Christine Callanan. Sign up to receive breaking True Crime Daily news, exclusive stories and behind-the-scenes info. After pulling Isaac Smith (Ewos teammate who also deals with drugs) and the two ladies for interrogation, the ladies were cracked and they gave up the real address where the two players were being held. Brian DeCarolis, who was hired to represent Gigliotti, said the two men appearde to have been misled to the apartment. Though saying he had no information to support the alleged connection, Seligmansaid UR was working with local police, UR Public Safety and campus housing to "strengthen campus safety and to address drug use on campus. Kollias went into detail about the assault to one media outlet and stated that he thought it would be the end of his life, but he was going to go out fighting. What Is The Use Of Judging Matters Show? "I sat down on this couch in the living room and next thing I knew it was just, the lights went out and about five to 10 men in just masks come out just screaming, so many loud noises, and just they're all armed with bats and bars and knives, guns, and the first thing that just pops in, I mean, fight or flight. The two friends were the. 2023 www.democratandchronicle.com. "She was trying to give us the runaround. Nicholas says there's more to the story, and he's holding the University of Rochester responsible. It's only the beginning of a 40-hour nightmare. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. He still has a titanium rod in his left leg and a bullet lodged in his right calf. Lydell Strickland, 26; Samantha Hughes, 19; Dennis Perez, 23; and Leah Gigliotti, 20, face charges of first-degree kidnapping while Inalia Rolldan, 19, and Ruth Lora, 19, are suspected of second-degree kidnapping. Those charged face multiple counts of kidnapping and assault. The New York Daily Newsreports Kollias has since graduated and moved back to the Chicago area, where he still undergoes physical therapy twice a week and works in financial services. Neither victim hadbeen heard from publiclyuntil Kollias testified in court. Terms of Use | The remaining five defendants have all already pleaded guilty to various roles in the incident. Sadly, Nicholas and Ani are no longer friends. Kollias and Ewo were taken to a nearby hospital, where they are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries. David Alcaraz-Ubiles, one of his co-defendants, was found guilty of kidnapping and weapons charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison, which he will serve after completing a separate 15-year sentence for an unrelated crime. Ricky Ross has a handle on good business practices, Michael Maliakel and Dennis Stowe discuss diversity of Aladdin Broadway cast, Afro B taps into his traditional sound with latest song Casamigos, Timbaland was inspired by Mother Nature for some of his biggest hits, Beauty entrepreneur Aaliyah Thompson named a McDonalds Change Leader, Larenz Tate thinks Hollywood values Black British actors more. Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo, both seniors at the university, were reported missing on Saturday evening under "suspicious circumstances." They were eventually located at a residence. According to the Tribune, the jury was also showna video, shot on a phone by one of the kidnappers, of men in masks with chainsaws, beating and demeaning the victims. Kollias described his torture and stated that the gang jabbed knives under their toes, doused them with flammable liquid, threatened to set them on fire, sexuallyassaulted them and fired a gun near their heads. University of Rochester Kidnapping Survivor Nicholas Kollias: 'I Didn't Kollias and Ewo were sexually assaulted,. "I'm not going to close my eyes. One of the women reached out to Ewo via Facebook and text messages, Kollias said, and he and Ewo met them one night and went with them to the house. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Senior year, and fall semester at the University of Rochester is in full swing. I'll do anything," a voice is heard pleading. Police say they. "There was nothing I could do, and then I just remember getting hit over the head with a bat and I'm laying on the ground and these men are just screaming, just 'Don't fight us, just take it and don't try and escape,'" said Nicholas. Authorities have said that UR seniorsAni Okeke Ewo and Nicholas Kolliaswereheld and terrorized for 40 hours before beingrescued by a Rochester police SWAT team. I was the first one out of my direct family to go to college.". At trial, Kollias and Ewo testified about their horrific experiences. "I started to notice that the neighborhood was not so good anymore," said Nicholas. Six arraigned in kidnapping of college students | News UR students abducted, hurt, prosecutor says. The five receive sentences of 13 to 35 years in prison. Kollias was with him at the time of the kidnapping. According to Kollias, the lights went off and a group of men rushed into the dark room and 40-hours of hell began. Then out of the darkness a figure appears. Police haven't yet said how they figured . "Even a university as generally safe as ours can be subject to these type of terrible events," Seligman said, calling the matter "an isolated and unusual set of circumstances,""I urge everyone in our community to be smart about the choices that you make, and to be diligent about your safety and the safety of those around you. Nicholas says the kidnappers turned on loud music to cover the sounds of what's to come. Nine people were accused of roles in the abduction and torture of the two men. Get In Touch. "There was two suspects inside the living room, took them in custody," said Peters. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,195. The monsters return early the next morning for more. Perhaps, had the campus authorities had not ignored Smiths drug dealing due to his talent on the football field, then Ewo and his friend wouldnt have suffered any of the events. Rolldan and Lora were at the house where the students were held captive but did not participate in the torture, according to the report. The New York Daily Newsreports Kollias has since graduated and moved back to the Chicago area, where he still undergoes physical therapy twice a week and works in financial services. Solomia Maievska Every Single Fact About The Model. "The plan really was to basically drain all the bank accounts," said Scott Peters. First the room went dark, then masked men, clothed in black, burst into the littered living room at the Harvest Street house. A SWAT team rescuedKollias and Ewo that Sunday night from a home some four miles from the Rochester college campus. This is the story Ani Okeke, a victim of abduction and abuse. It does not store any personal data. Dr. Nikolaos Koutsonikolis, MD, is a specialist in anesthesiology who treats patients in Ocala, FL. But this Friday night out would be like no other. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It is not clear why they were targeted. They had roles for individuals. Five men and four women, all Rochester-area residents in their late teens and early 20s, were convicted of kidnapping and other crimes.
What Happened To Return To Amish, Malignant Internal Medicine Residency Programs, Andrew Clennell Political Views, Laura From Family Matters Died, Too Short House Vacaville, Articles N