NEW CITY, NY — A West Haverstraw man accused of viciously attacking his girlfriend, kidnapping her at gunpoint, then leading police on a multi-jurisdiction high-speed chase before triggering a four-hour armed standoff, was arraigned Friday on a slate of felony charges including kidnapping, strangulation, and weapons possession.
Marcos Seda, 41, appeared in Rockland County Court where he was formally charged with second-degree kidnapping, second-degree strangulation, second-degree assault, multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and possession of a firearm.
According to prosecutors, the violence erupted on the evening of July 19 inside Seda’s residence on Matone Circle in West Haverstraw. Seda allegedly shoved the victim — his girlfriend — to the ground, repeatedly punched her in the face, pointed a loaded shotgun at her, and placed both hands around her neck. He then forcibly removed her from the home.
Following the assault, police attempted to take Seda into custody, but he fled, initiating a high-speed pursuit that stretched across several jurisdictions including West Haverstraw and Clarkstown. During the chase, Seda rammed a marked police vehicle, injuring a Town of Haverstraw officer who sustained a concussion and bruising.
The pursuit ended in a crash, after which Seda barricaded himself inside his vehicle and aimed a loaded shotgun at his own head. A tense four-hour negotiation followed, ending with Seda’s surrender and arrest.
Investigators later obtained consent to search Seda’s home, where they found a stockpile of firearms and ammunition, including a loaded pistol, two rifles, multiple high-capacity magazines, and a large amount of ammunition.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Brittany Richardson and Assistant District Attorney Daniella Harris. Seda faces a possible sentence of 5 to 25 years in state prison if convicted.
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Key Points
- Marcos Seda, 41, arraigned on charges of kidnapping, assault, strangulation, and weapons possession
- Police say he attacked his girlfriend, fled officers, and sparked a four-hour armed standoff
- Firearms and high-capacity magazines were recovered from his home following the incident
A Rockland County man allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, fled police, and triggered a tense armed standoff before surrendering.