On April 24, a Monmouth County grand jury handed up an indictment against local developer Anthony Spalliero charging him with second-degree attempted kidnapping, third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, third-degree terroristic threats and fourth-degree contempt of court.
According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the alleged crimes occurred on the afternoon of Sept. 6, 2005, in a parking lot on the Brookdale Community College campus in the Lincroft section of Middletown.
The 22-year-old female victim had driven to the campus and pulled into the parking lot a few minutes before her afternoon class. She was approached by her ex-boyfriend, Spalliero, 62, who entered the victim’s car, according to the press release.
The victim, still seated in the car, did not want to be late for her class and told Spalliero that she would talk with him later. Spalliero pulled a loaded gun from his pants pocket and pointed it at her, according to the press release.
Spalliero allegedly told the victim a number of times to “start the car” and threatened to kill her if she did not do what she was told to do.
Crying and screaming for help, the victim was able to escape from her car.
A member of the Brookdale police force saw the screaming victim as she fled from her car and approached to offer assistance.
The victim was so distraught that she was unable to speak at first and had to be provided oxygen by law enforcement personnel, according to the prosecutor’s press release.
Spalliero fled from the scene in a motor vehicle.
The Brookdale police and the Mon-mouth County Prosecutor’s Office conducted a joint investigation. A loaded .25-caliber firearm was recovered from underneath the victim’s car. Later that afternoon, Spalliero was located at his ex-wife’s residence in Holmdel and arrested as he stood in the driveway.
Spalliero was released on $150,000 bail following his arrest.
If convicted of the attempted kidnapping, Spalliero faces up to 10 years in state prison, according to the press release.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said Spalliero “committed a serious criminal offense by attempting to abduct a young woman at gunpoint from a college campus. Fortunately, the courageous victim was able to escape without further harm. The Brookdale police department is to be commended for its prompt and professional response to the dangerous situation. It is my hope that this matter can be brought to trial as expeditiously as possible.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Charles Clark.