Thread: this happened right across the street from where I work

Police arrested Kentucky man after ex-girlfriend turned him in at area bar


By MELISSA BROWN, mbrown@news-press.com
Published by news-press.com on March 16, 2004


The Kentucky man arrested in Fort Myers on Sunday after two days on the run was turned in by his ex-girlfriend, who authorities said was traveling with him.

Vincenzo “Vinnie” P. Vilardo, 27, was with ex-girlfriend Christina Vickers, 24, and his brother Domenico Vilardo, 22, Covington police officials said.

Lt. Col Mike Kraft of the Covington Police Department said the elder Vilardo is expected to be returned to Covington, Ky., to face charges that he shot and killed John Evans, 25, of Hamilton, Ohio.

The younger Vilardo is charged in Kentucky with hindering apprehension.

The case broke open when police officials said the group stopped at Brassies Bar and Grill at 3452 Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers and played a game of pool, said Donna Wilkins, restaurant manager. The three left the restaurant, and Vickers returned about five minutes later.

“She asked if we knew anyone who has been kidnapped,” Wilkins said. Wilkins said no. “The girl said, ‘Well, you’re talking to one,’ ” Wilkins said.

Wilkins said Vickers then told her that the two brothers were watching her from across the street.

Wilkins said she convinced Vickers to call her mother, who later called the bar. Vickers told Wilkins that she had been kidnapped and that one of the men she was traveling was wanted for murder.

Wilkins then called Fort Myers police, and Vickers left the bar through the back door.

The Vilardo brothers were later apprehended at a nearby Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant. Though Vickers said she was taken against her will, Covington police officials said they do not plan to charge Vilardo with kidnapping.

“After further investigation, we believe she went willingly,” Kraft said
this is the ponderosa I work at