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By STEVE KOBAK

Times Staff Writer


STAMFORD -- A Stamford man who allegedly posed as a cop Tuesday night and attempted to abduct a female Norwalk Community College student on the school's campus was arrested Wednesday afternoon.

Alexander Wendorf, 27, of 77 Eastridge Road, Stamford, was charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint and criminal impersonation of a police officer. He was held $500,000 bond and will be arraigned today in Norwalk Superior Court.

Police said Wendorf was driving a light-colored SUV on the NCC campus at approximately 7:10 p.m. when he stopped to ask a female student for directions.

Somehow, Wendorf lured the female into the vehicle and drove off campus, police said. The female was able to jump out of the moving vehicle on Scribner Avenue about two minutes after being lured into the car, police said.

She called police and was treated at Norwalk Hospital for minor injuries, according to police.

State Police Lt. Paul Vance said Wendorf purported to be a law enforcement official. Vance would not elaborate on the statement.

Detectives from the State Police Major Crimes Division investigated the incident and by Wednesday afternoon had secured an arrest warrant for Wendorf, police said.

State Police found Wendorf on Austin Street and took him into custody shortly after securing the warrant, police said.

Norwalk Community College sent out a mass e-mail Wednesday morning, alerting students on its mailing list of the incident. NCC spokeswoman Madeline Barillo said the campus, which is host to about 11,000 students, is generally devoid of crime, and the attempted abduction shocked a lot of students and faculty. Barillo said campus security will escort students to their cars after dark.

"The mood on campus is more surprised than fearful," said Barillo. "It's a very safe campus, and that's why we are surprised."

NCC freshman Francesca Cerreta said a friend forwarded the college's e-mail about the abduction to her cell phone, and she was "creeped out" by the incident.

"The scary part is that it's a community college, and anyone could get in or out," she said.

Brittany Mones, a freshman who lives a few blocks away from the school, said her mother heard about the attempted abduction and would not allow her to walk home.

"It's scary to know you can't even be safe at a community college," she said.

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