ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A St. Louis County man was charged with first-degree kidnapping after trying to force a young woman into his basement, according to a search warrant filed in court Jan. 21.
Matthew Zulpo, 40, was charged with first-degree kidnapping last Thursday in connection with an attempted kidnapping in south St. Louis County.
The 18-year-old victim told police she had been talking with the Zulpo on Tinder and Snapchat for about four weeks and they made arrangements to meet in person.
Zulpo picked up the woman from her home and brought her back to his home. They smoked marijuana together, according to court documents.
The suspect then took the woman into his basement when they were supposed to be leaving. He then grabbed the woman by her neck and said “new plan, you’re kidnapped.”
Zulpo was squeezing her neck and fumbling with the lock of the basement door, according to documents. The victim was able to get away before the Zulpo could lock the door. She ran about a block to get help and called police.
The investigating officer wrote in court documents the suspect “has a history of meeting young women online and having predatory interactions with them.”
Online court documents said Zulpo was being held without bond. He has a prior burglary conviction and arrest for statutory rape, police said.
