An accused kidnapper is being held on multiple charges in New Jersey after his alleged victim escaped and sought help for what she said was an ordeal that lasted for a year.

A probable cause affidavit filed in Burlington County says that James W. Parrillo, 57, choked the woman on several occasions and threatened to kill her and her family if she left, NJ.com reports.

The victim told investigators that a man who identified himself as “Brett Parker” befriended her at a gas station in New Mexico last February, asking for a ride to Arizona. She said they engaged in a consensual relationship for about a month, ending in California, but “Parker” threatened her, making her “feel that she was unable to leave the relationship.”

The woman said the man — who has been identified as Parrillo — took her phone and her debit cards and prevented her from contacting family.

In December, the two came to Burlington County, where Parrillo rented a room on the second floor of a home in Bass River Township, the document says. Authorities said the victim got away and fled on February 7 after Parrillo allegedly choked her during an argument.

“She ran away once she had an opportunity,” police wrote in the affidavit.

Arriving at a nearby gas station, she told the two attendants that “Parker” had kidnapped her and held her against her will for a  year. The attendants noted marks on her neck, and service station manager Jaitin “Bobby” Madaan told NJ.com that “she was terrified.”

“She was shaking, she could barely get her words together but she kept saying, ‘He has kept me against my will for over a year. He kidnapped me,’” Madaan said

Parrillo arrived at the gas station a short time later and was seen in surveillance video trying to get into the office, where the woman had locked the door.

“The only thing he said to her was, ‘You don’t want to do this,’” Madaan said.

Parrillo eventually left, and a New Jersey state trooper later found him. He initially refused to give his real name and was arrested for hindering his own apprehension. Later, he finally provided his real name and admitted choking the woman.

Parrillo has now been charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, obstruction, and refusing to give a DNA sample. He is awaiting an initial court appearance.

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