How routine stop played pivotal role in Charlotte Sena rescue
Suspected kidnapper Craig N. Ross Jr. was so drunk in key 1999 DWI stop he fessed up rather than try field sobriety test, City of Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino says. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital)
Charlotte Sena's suspected abductor may have targeted her family for a ransom because he knew about her grandfather's $2.2 million lawsuit settlement from a sledding accident, the suspect's ex-girlfriend speculated.
New York State Police declined to answer questions and remained tightlipped about the case ever since Sena was miraculously found alive during law enforcement's dramatic raid of Craig Ross Jr.'s trailer.
But Amanda Preece, who briefly dated Ross Jr., told The Daily Mail that he "never wanted to work" and "always wanted to find people to mooch off of."
"Charlotte's grandfather sued the town of Greenfield years ago, and people around Saratoga are aware of this," Preece told DailyMail.com. "I think that's why he held her ransom, he was hoping to get some of the money because he's struggling financially."
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Craig Ross Jr.: Arrested for alleged first-degree kidnapping in Saratoga County, New York on Monday, October 2, 2023. (Saratoga Sheriff’s Office)
Fox News Digital attempted to reach Preece by phone and email on Saturday, but didn't get a response back.
Little Charlotte's grandfather, Patrick Sena, sued the town of Greenfield, New York, in 1998 over a sledding accident and was ultimately awarded a $2.2 million settlement.
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Law enforcement tracked Ross Jr. down after he allegedly left a ransom note in Sena's family mailbox demanding $50,000, New York State Police said.
"That kind of money would set him up for around four or five years," Preece told The Daily Mail. "He had been following her family, he knew where they lived."
External view showing the New York State Police released the crime the scene at the home of Craig Nelson Ross Jr., on 2133 Barrtlett Road in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Ross has been charged with the abduction of Charlotte Sena, a 9-year-old girl riding her bike through Moreau Lake State Park. (Hans Pennink for Fox News Digital)
New York State Police collect evidence at the home of Craig Nelson Ross Jr. in Ballston Spa, New York on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Ross has been charged with the abduction of Charlotte Sena, a 9-year-old girl riding her bike through Moreau Lake State Park. (Hans Pennink for Fox News Digital )
"He watched her until she went around one last time and scooped her up. I feel he definitely had this pre-planned," she said.
Preece mentioned a tarp that he put up over the windows of his RV a few months ago, according to Daily Mail's report.
His neighbor, Michael, who wished to keep his last name anonymous to protect his family, mentioned the same tarp in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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The tarp was suddenly draped over the side of Ross Jr.'s RV that faces Michael's house, he said.
"At the time I didn't think anything of it. Maybe he had a leak or something," he said. "But looking back, I'm thinking was he doing something nefarious? Was he planning something."
Timeline of events leading to the recovery of Charlotte Sena in New York. (Google Maps)
WATCH: Timelapse of suspected kidnapper Craig Ross' potential route home
Ross Jr. left fingerprints on the ransom note, which came back with a hit from his 1999 DUI arrest.
Law enforcement zeroed in on Ross Jr. as the main suspect, and hit him with a lightning-strike hit with overwhelming force, neighbors told Fox News Digital.
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Dozens of police vehicles and SWAT trucks ripped down an otherwise quiet street in upstate New York, neighbors said.
Officers with long guns and tactical gear hit Ross Jr.'s trailer with flashbangs, cuffed him "with some resistance," according to Gov. Kathy Hochul, and found Charlotte alive in a cabinet.
Search teams look along the park boundary for Charlotte Sena, of Greenfield, NY, who was on a family outing in Moreau Lake State Park when she went missing Saturday evening as officials conduct a search on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Gansevoort, N.Y. (Hans Pennink for Fox News Digital )
How's Charlotte doing?
No details about Sena's condition were released, but the governor said there does not appear to be "outward harm," and state police said she is "in good health."
The girl is recovering and being evaluated in a hospital.
Her aunt, Jene Sena, told Fox News Digital in a text: "We are just elated she came home."
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Hochul said most stories do not end like this, but "Charlotte will be going home."
"I'm happy we have a positive outcome," Charlene said as she smiled to her daughter.
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Ross Jr. was charged with first-degree kidnapping, and is being held in Saratoga County jail without bond.
More charges could be filed, police said.
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