Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Bellmawr Police Chief William Walsh reported a Missouri man is facing charges for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting his estranged girlfriend.
Jose C. Amaya-Vasquez, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., is alleged to have kidnapped the 27-year-old mother of his child at knifepoint in Kansas City on Saturday. He is also accused of sexually assaulting the victim at a vacant house in Missouri, a motel in Ohio and a motel in Bellmawr. Their 2-year-old daughter was present with them during the alleged crimes.
Amaya-Vasquez was arrested in Bellmawr early Tuesday morning after detectives in Kansas City received cell phone evidence that aided them in determining the victim was at the Super 8 Motel on the 300 block of the South Black Horse Pike and alerted Bellmawr Police. It is believed he had been passing through New Jersey with the victim and their child on the way to New York City.
When Bellmawr Police responded to the motel, the victim opened the door and officers learned Amaya-Vasquez had fled the room through the tile ceiling. Police observed the suspect outside and chased him into a wooded area. The suspect managed to climb a tree before he was found by police and taken into custody.
Amaya-Vasquez was charged in New Jersey with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, terroristic threats and resisting arrest. He is being held at the Camden County Jail in lieu of $400,000 bail.
Authorities have notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since Amaya-Vasquez is believed to be from Honduras and is residing in the United States without proper documentation.