Man charged in kidnap attempt

Man charged in kidnap attempt
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — A New York man is facing multiple charges in connection with an alleged attempted kidnapping in Long Branch last Thursday night.

Thomas Arthur Filupeit, 52, Magaretville, N.Y., allegedly tried to kidnap a man he believed was seeing his ex-girlfriend, according to the Long Branch Police Department.

The suspect allegedly drove to Cypress Street in Long Branch around 10:50 p.m. April 2 and attempted to enter the victim's home, according to a press release from the Long Branch Police Department.

Police said he had in his possession a pillowcase and orange plastic cable cuffs (similar to handcuffs) and a black cloth, the press release stated.

The victim twice observed his door rotate as if someone were attempting to open it. He then observed a man he did not know on his front porch and called 911, the press release stated.

Long Branch Officer Kristie Buble arrived on the scene and heard someone running through the backyard of the home.

Buble then observed a white PT Cruiser with a New York license plate pulling out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed without its lights on, according to police.

The vehicle was spotted by Monmouth County Sheriff's Officers Sean O'Neal and Henry Muller, who checked the license number and stopped the car on Route 36 in Tinton Falls, police said.

Further investigation revealed that Filupeit believed the victim was seeing his former girlfriend.

Long Branch police said they recovered latex gloves, cable cuffs, a black-handled survival knife, duct tape and nylon string from the car. The police also said they recovered printed directions from the suspect's former girlfriend's Oceanport home to the victim's home.

The victim was not harmed during the incident.

Filupeit was arrested and is being charged with criminal attempted burglary, criminal attempted kidnapping, possession of handcuffs, possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon.

He is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township on $1.1 million bail.

If convicted, Filupeit faces a lengthy jail sentence.

"I would say he is facing a minimum of 10 to 15 years, if convicted," Long Branch Detective Sgt. Fernando Sanders said. "Obviously that is at the discretion of the judge, but he is facing very serious charges."

Filupeit was arraigned on April 6, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

Detective Brendan Cahill of the Long Branch Police Department is continuing the investigation.

Contact Ken Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.co