Rockland County District Attorney Announces Indictment in Kidnapping and Attack of Female Passenger at Knifepoint by Taxi Driver in Spring Valley

District Attorney Tom Walsh announces that the Grand Jury of Rockland County has voted an indictment against Kevin Mazariego-Figueroa, 22, of Hillcrest, NY charging him with Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree (two counts), Strangulation in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (two counts) and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree.

On May 5, 2025, the defendant while operating a taxicab, picked up a female passenger in the vicinity of 59 Route 59 in Monsey, NY.  The defendant proceeded to drive the vehicle away towards the requested destination.  The defendant then stopped the vehicle in the area of 23 Ridge Avenue, in the Village of Spring Valley.  He proceeded to restrain the female passenger and physically assault while in the taxicab.  Mazariego-Figueroa punched her about her body, strangled her with his hands about her neck and bit her face and head.  He threatened to kill her while holding a knife and attempted to stab her with a screwdriver.  The female was able to free herself from the taxicab and called out for help.  The defendant then fled in the vehicle and was subsequently located in the vicinity of 681 Chestnut Ridge Road in the Town of Ramapo.   The investigation determined that Mazariego-Figueroa was operating the taxicab while under the influence of a drug and while his driving privileges were suspended in the State of New York.  The victim, a 40-year-old female suffered substantial pain, bite marks, lacerations and visible swelling to her face. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The incident was investigated by the Village of Spring Valley Police Department with assistance from the Town of Ramapo Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  The defendant faces a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 25 years in state prison if convicted of the top count of the indictment charging him with Kidnapping in the Second Degree.

The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Matthew Martinez and Senior Assistant District Attorney John Longo.

*It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and that a defendant should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.