Business owner kidnapped in Newton, freed in Missouri

Abductors took the wrong man in case of mistaken identity, By Jennifer Jean Miller Newton — Questions still surround the motive behind the abduction of a Newton business owner in front of his store by three Missouri men. However, after a journey of nearly 1,100 miles, the victim was rescued and reunited with his family. What has been discovered is Jeff Muller, 59, of Frankford was purposely, yet mistakenly, targeted in what is unraveling as an extensively planned kidnapping plot. “The outcome of investigative efforts conducted today has led to convincing evidence to conclude that Mr. Jeffrey Muller was the victim of mistaken identity. The individuals arrested for his abduction targeted a completely innocent person,” said Newton Police Chief John Tomasula late in the evening of Jan. 11. While Muller was opening up J&G Pet Food on East Clinton Street at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, he was abducted by Douglas Stangeland, 46, of Nevada, Mo., Andrew David Wadel, 21, of Rich Hill, Mo., and Lonnie Eugene Swarnes, 44, also of Rich Hill, Mo. Muller was Tasered, then forced into a vehicle by the trio, where his hands and feet were bound. During the car ride to Missouri, Muller endured injuries, including facial, from multiple assaults and was threatened at gunpoint by his captors. Reported missing Muller’s wife had unsuccessfully tried to reach her husband by phone and arrived at the store at 10:30 a.m. to find it dark and locked. Muller’s eyeglasses and lunch were lying on the ground by his truck. She immediately notified the Newton Police Department, who began a search with police dogs from the Hopatcong Police and the New Jersey State Police in the area of East Clinton Street. A New Jersey State Police helicopter combed the area while crime scene detectives began piecing together leads late Friday evening into Saturday morning. A break came through on early Saturday morning when the kidnappers’ vehicle was disabled in the parking lot of Rick’s C-Store and More in Lake Ozark, Mo. Muller, who had been plotting an escape, freed his hands and fled from his captors, who then caught him and began beating him. An employee at the store contacted local police with the report of an assault in the parking lot. The Lake Ozark Police Department rescued Muller and took Stangeland, Wadel and Hill into custody. Muller was taken to Lake Regional Hospital for medical treatment. Detectives from the Newton Police Department, Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey State Police are currently in Missouri to further investigate. Tomasula said investigators cannot comment on the motive and said Muller did not know the kidnappers. The three men were arrested by the Lake Ozark Police Department and their three handguns were recovered by authorities. They are being held without bail in the Miller County Jail for assault, weapons and drug charges filed by Lake Ozark Police. Kidnapping charges have been filed in New Jersey. Tomasula said details need to be further ironed out regarding extradition to New Jersey. Missouri authorities and the United States Attorney’s office are currently investigating. Tomasula described the victim as “emotional” when he was reunited with his family on Sunday night. Muller has been under heavy police guard at home, as has his store by the Newton Police Department and New Jersey State Police. Employees at J&G Pet Foods refused requests for comment. According to Tomasula, the last kidnapping of an adult in Newton took place in the late 1980s.

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Anyone with information regarding the case should contact Newton Police at 973-383-2525 or the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-383-1570.