MONTICELLO, N.Y., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A New York state man drank beer while holding his girlfriend and their two children captive in their home for a week, authorities say.
The woman was finally able to get assistance by convincing the boyfriend, Benito Lopez, she was playing games on the computer, the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., reported Wednesday.
Lopez, 40, was arrested Monday after probation officers were tipped the girlfriend, their son, 11, and daughter, 12 had been hostage in their home since New Year's Eve.
Sullivan County deputies said Lopez disconnected the phone and confiscated electronic devices and car keys to prevent anyone calling for help.
The girlfriend eventually got help through Facebook by pretending she was playing computer games, police said.
Police said they found the equivalent of 15 cases of empty beer cans, as well as some liquor bottles.
Lopez was on probation for felony drunken driving.
He was charged with three counts of unlawful imprisonment and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, in addition to violation of probation. He was jailed on $5,000 bond.
