New York police officer charged in cannibalism plot

NEW YORK (AP) - A city police officer dreamed up plots to kidnap, torture, cook and eat at least 100 women whose photos, names and addresses he pulled from a confidential law enforcement database, authorities said on Thursday.

Gilbert Valle's fantasies about cannibalizing women - in one, he said he hoped to "cook her over low heat, keep her alive as long as possible" - were described in online chat rooms and emails, and authorities said he was arrested because he was taking steps to carry them out.

None of the women were harmed, although a prosecutor said some of the women said they knew Valle, 28, and that the six-year veteran had stalked at least two of them at home or work, including once in uniform in a police car in a "very intimidating fashion." Authorities said he had had lunch with one of them.

Valle's estranged wife tipped authorities off to his chilling online activity, leading to his arrest, a law enforcement official said. Valle has been held without bail on charges including kidnapping conspiracy and unauthorized use of law enforcement records.