Alleged kidnappers of 2 New York Amish girls planned more abductions

Northern New York couple used ‘coercion tactics’ to snatch two sisters, authorities said Saturday. Stephen Howlles and Nicole Vaisey are being held without bail in St. Lawrence County.

The couple charged with kidnapping two Amish sisters this week planned more abductions and used "coercion" to get the girls into their car, authorities said Saturday.Stephen Howells, 39, and his 25-year-old girlfriend, Nicole Vaisey, wanted to abduct more children, St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells said at news conference.The motive was to victimize children," he said. "The girls have been victims of crimes.
That's the only detail we'll give," he told reporters.Howells and Vaisey were arrested late Friday after they turned themselves in for questioning. They were charged with two counts each of first-degree kidnapping and are being held without bail in St. Lawrence County.Their arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.

Information provided by the victims led police straight to Howells and Vaisey, authorities said. The couple lived about 13 miles from the Amish family and intended to harm the children, he saidThe girls were taken Wednesday night, as they sold vegetables to the occupants of a car that had stopped at the Amish family's food stand in rural Oswegatchie, near the Canadian border. A witness said the vehicle's passenger threw something into the back seat..