A man who admitted to his role in a violent crime spree in March, which included the attempted abduction of a 13-year-old girl who bravely managed to escape, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his crimes.

On Friday, Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer sentenced Quamel Benton, 36, from Farmingdale, to seven years for the attempted kidnapping, along with additional sentences for two charges of eluding authorities and one charge of criminal sexual contact.

Benton is required to serve 85% of his sentence under the No Early Release Act before he can be considered for parole, as stated by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

The crime spree began on March 21 in Willingboro when Benton attacked his pregnant partner with an aluminum baseball bat, stealing her car to flee the scene. The spree continued through Toms River and Lakewood, culminating the following day.

At 7:30 p.m. on the first day, police were called to Forest Park Circle in Lakewood to investigate a thwarted kidnapping. Benton approached the 13-year-old girl in his vehicle, but she managed to flee. Benton chased her on foot, tackled her, and threw her onto the road. The girl fought back, tearing his white tank top and breaking free, running home barefoot. Police later recovered her shoes and a piece of Benton’s ripped shirt at the crime scene.

Later that night at 9 p.m., Benton molested a woman at a Target store in Toms River, according to police reports. Officers spotted his vehicle as he fled the scene, and a pursuit ensued until Benton drove recklessly and headed north on the Garden State Parkway.

At 12:40 a.m. the next day, Benton attempted to force his way into a woman’s car in Toms River. Police saw him fleeing in the stolen vehicle, which had belonged to his partner. Benton lost control of the car, crashing into a utility pole near Route 70 and Whitesville Road. After the crash, Benton attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after by police.

In addition to the charges related to his partner’s attack in Willingboro, Benton also faced charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapons offenses, endangering an injured victim, and five counts of child neglect. He has been held at the Burlington County Detention Center in Mount Holly since his arrest on March 22.

{Matzav.com}