TOMS RIVER−A man who pleaded guilty to a violent March crime spree that involved the attempted kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl who successfully fought him off is due to spend 12 years in prison for that and other crimes.
Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer on Friday sentenced Quamel Benton, 36, whose address is listed in Farmingdale, to seven years for the attempted kidnapping and additional time for two eluding charges and a criminal sexual contact charge.
Benton must serve 85% of his sentence under the No Early Release Act before being considered for parole, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.
More: Lakewood attempted kidnap suspect says he was drugged before out-of-character crime spree
The crime spree started on March 21 in Willingboro, when Benton took an aluminum baseball bat to his pregnant girlfriend’s head and stole her vehicle to flee, police said. It continued in Toms River and Lakewood, ending the next day.
At 7:30 p.m. on the first day, the Lakewood police were called to Forest Park Circle on the report of a thwarted kidnapping. Benton drove up to the 13-year-old girl, who ran away, then caught up to her on foot and threw her down on the road. She fought Benton off, ripping his white tank top and breaking free then running home without shoes. Police found the girl’s footwear and a piece of the culprit’s ripped undershirt at the scene of the crime.
At 9 p.m., Benton molested a woman at Target in Toms River, police said. Police spotted the vehicle he was in as he fled, pursuing him until he drove erratically and headed north on the Garden State Parkway.
At 12:40 a.m. the next day, Benton came upon a woman in a vehicle in Toms River and tried to force his way in, police said. Patrol officers spotted him as he fled in his stolen girlfriend’s vehicle.
Benton lost control of the vehicle, smashing into a utility pole near Route 70 and Whitesville Road, Billhimer said. After the crash, he fled on foot, but was captured not long after, police said.
Benton was also charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, a weapons offense, endangering an injured victim and five counts of neglecting a child in the attack on his girlfriend in Willingboro. He has been in Burlington County Detention Center in Mount Holly since his arrest on March 22.
Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 12 years in prison for man who tried to abduct Lakewood girl