Authorities in Niagara Falls on Monday apprehended a suspect accused of chaining a woman in the basement of a Monroe Avenue home. U.S. Marshals found Michael Ciskiewic, 25, in a field near Buffalo Avenue and 24th Street around 7:30 p.m. Monday. Ciskiewic faces charges of Burglary in the First Degree, Rape in the First Degree, Kidnapping in the First Degree, Menacing in the Second Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree. He was arraigned in city court Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty.
The incident began early Sunday morning after a neighbor reported an apparent assault. Police officials say the victim opened her door for the suspect, at which time a physical struggle began. By the time officers arrived, no one was at the home.
However, there was a trail of blood, which led a bloodhound to a nearby house where the victim was found chained at the ankle, with her wrists bound by tape and a sock stuffed in her mouth. That led to a 12-hour standoff, after which it was determined the suspect was not in the home.
The victim was released from ECMC Monday and is staying with family. Police say they have not determined a motive and say the two parties were not in a relationship, but did know each other casually.
At his arraignment, the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office requested Ciskiewic be remanded to custody in lieu of bail. Judge Shawn Nickerson obliged and and issued orders of protection for the victim and a neighbor. The case will now move to Niagara County Court.
“The safety of our community is my number one concern,” said DA Caroline Wojtaszek. “I will do everything I can to make sure Michael Ciskiewic is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
