State Police Arrest Endicott Man for Kidnapping and Custodial Interference

On February 5, 2025, The New York State Police Liberty Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) announce the arrest of John Tonchen, age 54, of Endicott, NY, for Kidnapping in the Second Degree (B Felony) and Custodial Interference in the First Degree (E Felony).

The investigation began on September 20, 2024, when troopers from the Liberty Barracks responded to a report of a runaway juvenile from Camp Covenanter in White Lake, NY. The 16-year-old male was reported missing after missing dinner at the camp, and the camp director discovered that the victim’s belongings were also missing.

Following further investigation, authorities located the victim in Canton, Michigan, with Tonchen, the victim’s non-custodial parent. Tonchen admitted to bringing the 16-year-old victim to Michigan. On September 21, 2025, Tonchen was arrested in Canton, Michigan pursuant to an extraditable arrest warrant issued by New York State Police for Kidnapping in the Second Degree and turned over to Northville Police in Michigan on unrelated charges.

On February 5, 2025, Tonchen was extradited from the Wayne County Jail in Detroit, Michigan, and returned to New York State. He was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to Sullivan County Jail on $125,000 cash bail, $250,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. Tonchen is scheduled to appear in the Town of Bethel Court on February 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.