Randolph, NJ – A 28-year-old man from Roselle has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, carjacking, and multiple weapons offenses after police say he abducted a woman from the County College of Morris parking lot and held her captive for several hours before being captured in Sussex County.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll announced that Akram Elsayed was taken into custody late Friday night following a coordinated pursuit involving law enforcement agencies across three counties.
The investigation began around 2:30 p.m. on December 5, when the victim’s parents contacted Bayonne police after she failed to pick up her children and could not be reached.
Victim found handcuffed inside suspect’s vehicle
Officers traced the victim’s last known location to the County College of Morris in Randolph, where they found her vehicle abandoned with a damaged phone inside. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Elsayed approaching the victim before driving away in his own car.
Around 9:40 p.m., police received a tip that led them to the suspect’s vehicle in Andover Township. After a pursuit involving the Newton Police Department, Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Andover Township Police, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police, officers arrested Elsayed and found the victim in the front passenger seat, handcuffed to the grab handle. A loaded Hi-Point Model C9 handgun was discovered on the ground near the driver’s door. The victim was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Multiple first-degree charges filed
As of December 12, Elsayed faces an extensive list of charges, including four counts of carjacking, four counts of kidnapping, and six counts of aggravated sexual assault, all first-degree crimes. Additional charges include multiple counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, burglary, eluding, and attempted aggravated sexual assault.
Elsayed was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he is being held pending a court appearance. Authorities said the investigation remains active and additional charges may be considered.
Officials commend coordinated police response
Prosecutor Carroll credited the swift collaboration between the Bayonne, Randolph, Andover Township, Newton, and Sussex County agencies, as well as the New Jersey State Police and several Morris County investigative units.
“This arrest was the result of the combined efforts of several law enforcement agencies,” Carroll said. “Thanks to the quick and coordinated response, the victim was located safely, and the suspect was taken into custody without further harm.”
Investigators believe the attack was targeted and that there was no ongoing threat to students or staff at the County College of Morris.
Authorities say Akram Elsayed abducted a woman from the County College of Morris before being captured in Sussex County after an hours-long police pursuit.
