A man in the United States has been accused of keeping a woman against her will for almost a year before she fled and asked for help at a gas station.
The state attorney general’s office said the woman fled to the store in New Jersey on February 7 where she claimed she was abducted.
Security footage shows the woman running into the gas station and closing the door, while a man follows her.
Authorities told NBC News that James Parillo Jr. has since been charged with kidnapping, strangulation and aggravated assault and a felony.
The broadcaster said the 57-year-old was being held in custody awaiting trial.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin said, “This is a deeply disturbing case in which the defendant allegedly held a woman against her will for nearly a year, while travelling with her throughout the country, before ending up here in New Jersey where she was able to escape,” reports Sky.
The woman – whose identity has not been disclosed – told police that she and Parrillo Jr. met last February at a gas station in New Mexico after he asked her for a ride to Arizona.
The attorney general’s office said they were initially in a relationship, but a month later in California, Parillo allegedly assaulted her and she felt unable to walk away.
Parrillo took the woman’s phone and credit and debit cards, kept her away from her family and held her against her will, it is alleged, reports Sky.
She fled the home they were living in Burlington County on February 7 after she was allegedly suffocated and assaulted.
According to a statement filed in court by the New Jersey State Police, the woman had marks on her neck.
According to the statement, the woman said she was held against her will for a year and that Parrillo refused to allow her contact with her family.
NBC News said an attorney representing Parrillo could not immediately be reached for comment.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.