Crime & Safety

Kidnapped Woman Forced Into Prostitution at Avenel Hotels, Police Say

Five arrested in Woodbridge hotel bust after woman held captive for weeks, police say.

Five people were arrested this week in connection with the kidnapping and prostitution of a woman out of various Avenel hotels and in North Carolina, Woodbridge Police said Thursday.

Ronnie Warren, 28, of Cliffwood, Carrie Schiefer, 23, of Keansburg, Willie Peters, 19, of West Keansburg, and Samantha Garcia, 20, of West Keansburg, were arrested this week at an Avenel hotel. Joel Hope, 31, of Scotch Plains, was later arrested at his girlfriend’s home in Scotch Plains, Woodbridge Police said.

The arrests culminated a several-month investigation by multiple agencies into the kidnapping and prostitution of a woman, according to Sgt. Brian Murphy, of the Woodbridge Police Department Special Investigations Unit.

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Hope and Warren put a woman in fear of leaving them, Murphy said. The woman was forced into prostitution at various Avenel hotels, Murphy said. She was also transported to prostitute in North Carolina during the several weeks she was held captive, Murphy said.

Warren and Hope face charges of kidnapping and promoting prostitution. Schiefer is charged with promoting prostitution, possession of heroin and possession with intent to distribute. The three are being held in Middlesex County Jail without bail.

Peters is charged with hindering apprehension, contempt of court and wrongful impersonation. He is being held at Middlesex County Jail on $100,000 bail. Garcia is charged with hindering apprehension and possession of marijuana. She is being held at Middlesex County Jail on $15,000 bail.

When police were arresting the four at an Avenel hotel on Wednesday evening, they discovered heroin, marijuana and the passport of the woman, which they believe was being held so she could not leave, Woodbridge police said.

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