On Wednesday November 4, 2026 at approximately 8:30 AM, Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the unit block of Chestnut Drive Elkton for reports of an individual laying in the yard of a residence naked with apparent injuries.
When deputies arrived, they made contact with an 81 year old male with visible injuries to his head and body area. The male was transported to Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware for treatment. When the responding deputies contacted the male, he stated that he was the victim of an assault and robbery that occurred inside the residence.
The victim stated that he had traveled to the residence earlier in the morning to meet a female identified as Taylor Storm Falcone, white female, 31 years of age, address, unit block of Chestnut Drive in Elkton. When the victim was invited inside the residence by the female, he stated that a male later identified as Austin Michael Maniscalco, white male, 28 years of age, address, unit block of Chestnut Drive in Elkton, Maryland was also inside the residence. Officials said the victim advised that Maniscalco soon became angry and aggressive toward him. Maniscalco tied the victim to a chair utilizing a cord and refused to allow the victim to leave according to police. The victim was then assaulted by Maniscalco in multiple ways including being punched in the head and face with a closed fist and having a knife held against his throat officials said.
The victim advised that Maniscalco then removed his clothing while he was still tied to the chair. Maniscalco took syrup that was in the residence’s kitchen and used a microwave to heat the syrup. Maniscalco then poured the syrup on the victim’s body causing multiple burns according to police. Cecil County Sheriff’s Office investigators observed that the victim’s injuries were consistent with the account provided by the victim. The victim stated that Maniscalco used these “torture” tactics to obtain the combination to a safe located at the victim’s residence in Delaware officials said. The victim provided the combination to the safe. Mr. Maniscalco used a black marker to write the combination to the safe across the victim’s forehead. Also, an area on the victim’s chest was marked to indicate where his heart would be carved out. Investigators observed the markings on the victim’s body.
Falcone left the residence during the time frame when the assault was occurring. The victim stated that Maniscalco stole several items from him officials said. These items included eighty dollars in United States currency, a gold chain, a gold Seiko watch, a gold bracelet, and vehicle keys to a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette, a 2026 GMC Sierra, and a 2016 Cadillac Escalade.
The victim stated that after he was assaulted and had the items taken from him, Maniscalco fell asleep inside the residence. The victim was able to untie himself and fled the residence while Maniscalco was asleep. The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls regarding the victim being outside the residence.
Investigators were able to contact Falcone and learned that she was still not back at the residence. Contact was also made with the New Castle County Police Department, who responded to the victim’s residence and confirmed that no one had recently entered the residence. A search and seizure warrant was written and signed by a judge for the residence in the unit block of Chestnut Drive.
Contact was made with members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT). Members of the team responded to the residence along with their assigned BearCat rescue vehicle. SRT personnel made repeated requests for Maniscalco to exit the residence and surrender. However, Maniscalco ignored these requests. The SRT team then approached the residence with the BearCat rescue vehicle and began to breach the residence’s door. Maniscalco then surrendered and was placed under arrest by the SRT members.
Investigators performed a search of the residence and located the property that was reported stolen by the victim. The cord and chair described by the victim were also located inside the residence. Officials said they learn through their investigation that Maniscalco and Falcone conspired to lure the victim to the residence, detain him, and then take his belongings while obtaining access to his residence and safe.
Falcone was later arrested when she returned to the residence. The victim was treated for his injuries and released from Christiana Care hospital.
Maniscalco was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, assault first degree, conspiracy to commit assault first degree, second degree assault, conspiracy to commit assault second degree, theft between $1500 and $25000, conspiracy to commit theft, reckless endangerment, and false imprisonment.
Falcone was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit assault first degree, conspiracy to commit assault second degree, and conspiracy to commit theft between $1500 and $25000.
Both are currently committed to the Cecil County Correctional Facility with no bond.
