Metro

NY man who caught four boys vandalizing home is charged after locking them in closet until police arrived

CLYDE, N.Y. — A New York man who says he caught four boys vandalizing his father-in-law’s home has been charged with child endangerment after corralling them in a closet until police arrived.

Jesse Daniels was charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child after authorities say he interrupted the vandalism at the empty home in the Wayne County village of Clyde.

Daniels tells WHEC-TV in Rochester he heard pounding June 8 and went to investigate while his wife called 911.

He says he found four boys, ages 8 and 10, inside with hammers. He says he took a hammer from one, then stuck the boys in a closet until officers arrived.

Their parents say Daniels handled the boys roughly.

The boys have been charged with burglary and criminal mischief.