By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
A Princeton man accused of holding his girlfriend captive in his car and threatening to kill her in November pleaded guilty earlier this month to theft in return for getting probation., Benjamin Li, 23, was able to resolve his case only a few months after being arrested Nov.28 on charges of kidnapping, criminal restraint and receiving stolen property., Authorities claimed that he drove his 20-year-old girlfriend around for three hours through the area, with her screams of help catching the attention of Princeton Police officer. The victim told police that Li punched her, stole her cell phone and threatened to kill her, police said at the time., In state Superior Court Feb.2, he pleaded guilty to third-degree theft by unlawful taking, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office said. He took the plea bargain one day before his 23rd birthday., “The state is recommending probation, no contact with the victim, domestic violence counseling, and that the defendant continue psychological counseling and follow all recommendations and treatment including any medications,” said Casey A. DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Prosecutor’s Office., He is due to be sentenced March 30, she said., David Oakley, Li’s lawyer, said Wednesday that it was a “good outcome for everybody” and a “fair resolution.” He said the Prosecutor’s Office was “very reasonable” in light of “extenuating circumstances.” He declined to elaborate., Li had had trouble with the law before. In 2013, he entered the pre-trial intervention program to resolve drug charges in Middlesex County.
