N.J. State Police laud woman for escaping from alleged kidnapper
EWING, N.J. -- Authorities say it was a year-long nightmare. A woman was allegedly kidnapped and taken across the country but managed to make her escape in New Jersey.
Investigators are trying to put together a timeline to see if the suspect could be a serial kidnapper.
In a dramatic video, the woman is seen escaping her alleged kidnapper, who was right behind as she ran into a Burlington County gas station and locked the door from inside.
The station owner said the woman had been in the store several days before.
"She looked at the door and knew there was a deadbolt, so she had planned this," Bobby Madaan said.
READ MORE: N.J. gas station owner tells CBS2 how he helped woman escape her alleged kidnapper
Authorities believe the woman, who was seen barefoot in early February, had been in New Jersey with her alleged captor since December.
He's now in custody and identified as 57-year-old James Parrillo Jr.
Investigators say she told them the two met a year ago and were in a relationship for a month until he assaulted her and she wanted out.
"Her actions were heroic. Her amount of time and what she went through, the fact that she was able to escape and make it to safety. Her actions are really the reason why Mr. Parrillo has been apprehended," State Police Col. Patrick Callahan said.
"She just kept repeating that, you know, 'He's kept me against my will,' and eventually the state troopers did get there," Madaan told CBS2 over the weekend.
Authorities believe Parrillo, who also goes by the name Brett Parker, may be a serial kidnapper. They want to hear from anyone who may have encountered him during his travels across the country.
"We know they met in New Mexico, and Arizona and California are additional states Mr. Parrillo has been in," Callahan said.
On social media, Parrillo says he lived in California, but is from Morristown.
He has been charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping and strangulation.
A gas station employee there when the victim made her escape said, "She had red marks around her throat ... like you could see his handprint."
State Police are urging anyone with information to reach out to their tip line at 855-363-6548. All tips are anonymous.
State Police officials would not say if the suspect faces charges in other states, but did say they are working with other states.