3 New Jersey Women Accused of Dumping Ex-Friend in Cold
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Three New Jersey women face kidnapping and other charges after allegedly dumping a former friend in the woods in subzero temperatures and leaving her there wearing only a dress and one shoe.
Police in North Bergen, N.J., said the 19-year-old victim is lucky she won't have to have her feet amputated, but may still need surgery after suffering severe frostbite in the 8-degree weather.
The victim was allegedly driven to a wooded area and pushed from the car into the snow without a cell phone or warm clothing, The Record of Bergen County reported.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After her alleged captors fled, the teen stood by the side of the snowy road until a passing car gave her a ride home.
Authorities didn't release her name.
Maria Contreras-Luciano, 22; Amber Crespo, 20; and Dyanne Velasquez, 21, were arrested and charged with kidnapping, assault and conspiracy. They were all released on $200,000 bail, according to the Record.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police say the trio orchestrated an elaborate plot to retaliate against the victim for suing an insurance company one of them owned.
They told the woman they were going to a formal party and even hung a dress in the window of the car to perpetuate the ruse, the paper said.
"The three females had planned and plotted … to dress up and go to an imaginary party,' North Bergen Lt. Frank Cannella told the Record.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Crespo faces another charge of making terroristic threats after allegedly shouting, "If you're going to sue me then I'm going to kill you," Cannella said.
During the victim's ordeal in a wooded area near the Hudson River, a motorist let her use a cell phone, but refused to give her a ride. Another driver took her to a hospital. She didn't report the incident for four days.
Click here for more on this story from NorthJersey.com.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report.