Various news outlets are reporting that Menachem Stark, a prominent Hasidic real estate developer in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was kidnapped late Thursday night. His wife notified the Shomrim when he didn’t return from work (his office is a few blocks from his home), who put out a missing persons report and notified the NYPD at 2:30 a.m. Friday. The police are currently investigating Stark’s abduction.
The New York Daily News reports that Stark, who was allegedly carrying $4,000 at the time, was captured on security cameras being thrown into a van after leaving his office.
Investigators found surveillance video showing Stark being approached outside his office, South Side Associates on Rutledge St., by a lone man about 11:45 p.m. Thursday.
A struggle ensued, and then a light-colored Dodge minivan pulled up and a second man hopped out, the video showed. The duo hustled Stark into the van and sped off, according to police sources.
Stark’s family is offering $100,000 for Stark’s safe return. We’ll update you as we hear more.
Stephanie Butnick is chief strategy officer of Tablet Magazine, co-founder of Tablet Studios, and a host of the Unorthodox podcast.