11/08/2006

The Saratogian (Saratoga, NY)
By JIM KINNEY

Regan moved to psychiatric hospital

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - Police prepared their case against accused kidnapper John F. Regan for a grand jury Monday as Regan himself underwent treatment at a maximum-security state psychiatric hospital near Utica.

Regan, 49, was released Saturday from Saratoga Hospital following his suicide attempt Thursday morning at the Saratoga County Jail. Sheriff James D. Bowen said Monday that deputies took Regan from the hospital to Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy.

Regan, of Waterbury, Conn., is accused of trying to pull a 17-year-old Saratoga Springs High School senior into his van at about 5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31. The girl was walking alone through a crowded parking lot to her car following cross country practice.

He grabbed her and she screamed and fought him off, police have said. A teacher confronted Regan long enough to delay him. The girl's coach followed Regan a few blocks to Beekman Street, where city police took him into custody.

Regan was free on bail in Connecticut awaiting trial, accused of breaking into a woman's home in 1993 and raping her. He's also accused of attempting to rape a co-worker in 2004.

After his arrest in Saratoga Springs, police in Connecticut used photos found on undeveloped film Regan had with him, along with pictures police found at his Waterbury home, to charge him with stalking his alleged victim in the 2004 case.

Waterbury Police Sgt. Chris Corbett said Monday that the investigation is continuing but he didn't think there would be news for the next few days.

Some of the film Regan had with him in Saratoga Springs had pictures of women walking on the street in Saratoga Springs.

City Police Chief Edward Moore said his detectives were double-checking their investigation Monday in preparation for a grand jury.

District Attorney James A. Murphy III has said he'll present his case against Regan to grand jurors in about two weeks.