The police chief of Totowa, New Jersey, has been taken into custody and charged in connection with a serious alleged domestic violence incident that occurred at a Boston hotel earlier this year, according to Massachusetts prosecutors.
Carmen Veneziano, 47, who serves as Totowa’s top law enforcement official, was formally indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury on multiple felony charges, including kidnapping and domestic assault and battery. Authorities allege the incident took place during an overnight stay on September 14 at a hotel in Boston’s Back Bay area.
Prosecutors claim Veneziano unlawfully confined a woman inside a hotel room and physically assaulted her over the course of several hours. The indictment includes one count of kidnapping and three counts related to domestic assault and battery. Officials have not publicly identified the alleged victim.
Veneziano was arrested Friday in New Jersey and transported to the Bergen County Jail, where he remained while arrangements were made to return him to Massachusetts. Law enforcement officials confirmed that he waived extradition, allowing for a faster transfer. His arraignment is scheduled to take place Monday in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston. Court records did not immediately list a defense attorney on his behalf.
Following news of the arrest, Totowa Mayor John Coiro announced that Veneziano had been suspended from his position without pay, effective immediately. The mayor said he became aware of the charges through the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and described the allegations as extremely serious.
Mayor Coiro acknowledged the shock within the community, noting that Veneziano had been well regarded within the department. He emphasized that the town’s police operations would continue without disruption, stating that senior officers would oversee daily operations while an interim chief is appointed.
Officials also confirmed that the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office assisted with the investigation and arrest, highlighting the multi-state coordination involved in the case.
Additional information is expected to emerge during Veneziano’s upcoming court appearance as prosecutors outline their evidence and the defense responds to the charges.
