Kidnap Victim Escapes to New Jersey Gas Station After Being Held Captive For 1 Year

James W. Parrillo Jr. was arrested after his kidnap victim escaped to a gas station in New Jersey. Reportedly, the kidnap victim has been held captive for almost a year.

In February 2022, James W. Parrillo Jr., 57, has reportedly met the kidnap victim at a gas station on Interstate 10, New Mexico. Parrillo apparently introduced himself to the victim as someone named “Brett Parker”. Thereafter, the victim gave Parrillo a ride to Arizona at the suspect’s request. The victim was reportedly dating Parrillo for about a month when the suspect physically assaulted her when they were in California. Parrillo also allegedly confiscated the victim’s phone, used her debit cards, and kept her away from her family. Sometime in December 2022, Parrillo and the kidnap victim allegedly went to New Jersey.

According to Wallace, Parrillo and the kidnap victim have reportedly stayed in a rented room in Bass River Township for around two weeks. On February 7, the victim fortunately managed to escape to a gas station and told an attendant she had been kidnapped for almost a year. Security footage from the gas station showed that Parrillo followed the victim and attempted to break in the gas station. However, he decided to left when he found out it was locked. The gas station attendant then contacted the New Jersey State Police who captured Parrillo thereafter.

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Not An Isolated Case

According to Lambe, Parrillo faced charges of third-degree criminal restraint, second-degree strangulation and aggravated assault, and first-degree kidnapping. In addition, Parrillo also faced charges of fourth-degree obstruction and third-degree hindering apprehension for refusing to provide a DNA sample.

To date, Parrillo is detained at the Burlington County Jail awaiting for trial. Last February 15, he appeared in a hearing before Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garringer in Burlington County. Assistant Attorney General Theresa Hilton stated that the information found online and provided by the kidnap victim showed that Parrillo may have been involved in similar incidents with victims in other states.

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