The victim is the grandmother of Anthony Cucinotta, who is accused of threatening her with a knife while demanding more than $1,400 before forcing her into her car, then forcing her out of the vehicle near Hamilton West High School before speeding away on March 18.
TRENTON — An 85-year-old Hamilton woman who was held up at knifepoint earlier this month was robbed and kidnapped by her grandson, prosecutors said yesterday.
The woman is the grandmother of Anthony Cucinotta, who is accused of threatening her with a knife while demanding more than $1,400 before forcing her into her car “without her cane or a coat or anything,” then forcing her out of the vehicle near Hamilton West High School before speeding away on March 18, Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Downing said yesterday.
Cucinotta is charged with robbery, kidnapping and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon.
In setting bail at $500,000 with no bond option during the hearing, Mercer County Superior Court Judge Gerald Council called the case “very disturbing.”
According to Downing, Cucinotta went to the home around 12:45 p.m., and though he was wearing a mask, the woman recognized his voice as her grandson’s. After she offered Cucinotta $50 from her purse, he demanded more and took $1,400 the woman had set aside to pay her taxes, along with gathering her bank information, Downing said.
Cucinotta allegedly demanded that the woman take him to her car. He drove her around, saying they were going to the bank, before kicking her out at Rowan Avenue near William Street, where she called for help, Downing said.
Public defender Jumba Mugwanya told the judge that there was a potential addiction issue at play.
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