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2009-01-30 13:31:55
By VICTOR EPSTEIN, Associated Press Writer Victor Epstein, Associated Press
Writer Thu Jan 29, 11:29 pm ET
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. A 19-year-old woman who thought she was going to a party
was instead driven to a rural wooded area and abandoned in 8-degree weather in
a long-planned attack by three friends angry with her over an insurance claim,
police said Thursday.
The victim was wearing only a dress and one shoe, having lost the other in a
struggle as she was dragged from the car, said Lt. Frank Cannella of the North
Bergen police. A motorist soon stopped and let the victim use a cell phone but
refused to give her a lift.
The victim used the phone to call one of the women who abandoned her, Cannella
said. She spent more than an hour in the freezing cold before flagging down
another motorist, who took her to a hospital, he said.
The North Bergen woman, whom police did not identify, may need surgery after
suffering frostbite to both feet Jan. 16 in Alpine, a town on the Hudson River
about 18 miles north of New York City, Cannella said.
"These actions were so profound that it leads you to believe there was a
tremendous indifference to human life," Cannella said.
Maria Contreras-Luciano, 22, of Dumont, and Amber Crespo, 20, and Dyanne
Velasquez, 21, both of North Bergen, face kidnapping, assault and conspiracy
charges and are free on $200,000 bail. Crespo is also charged with making
terroristic threats.
The women planned the attack for more than a month, Cannella said. The suspects
wanted revenge after the 19-year-old sued Crespo's auto insurance carrier after
a car accident, he said, adding that he didn't have details about the accident
or claim.
Marvin Walden, attorney for Crespo, said his client had no idea what she was
getting into and was not part of any conspiracy. He said the dispute was
between one of the other women and the victim and was about a man, not an
insurance claim.
"My client thought she was going to a rap concert," Walden said. "There was no
intent on her part, or discussion beforehand, about participating in anything
resembling a kidnapping."
Attorneys for the two other women did not return telephone calls and e-mails
seeking comment Thursday.
The victim arrived at Crespo's home to meet up with the three women and then
drive together to a party, according to authorities. She noted that her friends
weren't dressed for a party but was reassured by their words and by an evening
dress on a hanger inside the car.
The incident didn't come to the attention of police until the victim reported
it Jan. 20.
A man identified as Contreras-Luciano's boyfriend was arrested on suspicion of
hindering apprehension after he declined to turn his car over to investigators,
police said. Police believe his car was used in the attack.