Morris County prosecutors are seeking a lengthy prison sentence for a woman accused of locking another woman in a car trunk, stealing her credit cards, and going on a shopping spree.

According to authorities, the 53-year-old East Rutherford NJ woman and her friend, a 43-year-old East Rutherford man, took advantage of a 71-year-old New Hampshire woman who had gotten lost in Parsippany, New Jersey. The incident reportedly took place in 2012.

The victim was driving home after a holiday visit with her family in Mount Laurel NJ when she got lost. She stopped to ask for directions, at which point the two suspects allegedly committed the crime.

Authorities said that the male suspect “flagged down” the victim and then forced his way into the car. Both suspects then allegedly grabbed the victim and put her in the trunk of the car.

While the victim was locked in the trunk of her vehicle, the suspects allegedly went on a spending spree with the stolen credit cards. The suspects allegedly used the victim’s credit cards to buy merchandise at Kohl’s in Woodland Park NJ and TJ Maxx in East Hanover NJ. The suspects also reportedly used the stolen credit cards to purchase gas at a Shell station in Parsippany, NJ.

The suspects were eventually apprehended by police and placed under arrest.

A Morris County grand jury later indicted both suspects on a number of criminal charges, including carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery. The total number of counts against the suspects was 11.

The male suspect eventually pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking. As a result, the prosecutors in the case are recommending a sentence of 25 years in New Jersey State Prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20.

Meanwhile, prosecutors are set to offer the female suspect a plea deal which calls for a 15-year sentence in NJ State Prison. The suspect would have to plead guilty to robbery.

If the suspect accepts the plea offer, she could be eligible for release on parole after serving 12 years and 9 months in prison.

According to prosecutors, the different plea offers stem from the suspects’ different levels of involvement in the crime. Additionally, prosecutors said that the male suspect has a prior criminal record.

The female suspect will have until March 5 to accept the plea offer.

 

For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “Prosecutor: Woman Should Get 15 Years for Robbing Woman, Putting Her in Car Trunk.”