The following story is indicative of what happens when you cross the line. The victim was the wife of a former colleague that died as a result of a motorcycle accident in 1999. No doubt he is turning in his grave right now.
Four arrested in death of Green Brook woman found in burning car
By Carly Rothman/The Star-Ledger
December 14, 2009, 7:30PM
ELIZABETH -- Four men have been arrested in the 2008 slaying of a Green Brook woman whose body was found in a burning car in Elizabeth, authorities said today.
The year-long investigation of Tanya Worthy’s death ended this weekend with the arrests of Rashawn Bond, 33, of Newark, and Robert Harris, 25, of Philadelphia, who were already in custody on unrelated charges, authorities said. Bond was being held at the Essex County jail; Harris in Philadelphia.
Four men have been arrested in the Oct. 2008 slaying of Tanya Worthy, a Green Brook woman found inside her burning car. The suspects, from left, are Sharif Torres, Jamal Lewis, Robert Harris and Rashawn Bond.Also charged were Sharif Torres, 21, who was arrested at his home in Philadelphia, and Jamel Lewis, 31, originally of Newark, who was arrested at his home in Alexandria, Va., authorities said.
Each suspect is charged with felony murder, kidnapping, robbery, gun charges and arson, Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow said.
Worthy, a 35-year-old business owner and recruiter for DeVry University, was found Oct. 29, 2008, in her white BMW 645 convertible. The vehicle was ablaze on Neck Lane near Newark Liberty International Airport.
Romankow said Worthy, the widow of a New Jersey state trooper, was living with her fiance, Rahim Jackson, but was also in a relationship with Bond at the time of the attack.
Around 5:15 the night she died, Worthy ordered take-out from a Newark restaurant. Some time later, investigators believe she was kidnapped and taken to her Green Brook home.
Romankow said that between $50,000 and $150,000 – known to be proceeds of criminal activity – was in Worthy’s home.
Jackson is serving a 10-year sentence in federal prison in Brooklyn for drug charges, said Special Agent Douglas Collier, a spokesman for the New Jersey division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
"We’re not accusing her of anything. She was a victim," Romankow said. "They were going to rob her, plain and simple, but it went bad."
Jackson emerged from Worthy’s home when the group arrived, but the men threatened him and he went back inside, Romankow said. The alleged kidnappers then left with Worthy, he said.
A short time later, Worthy was killed in Elizabeth, her body left to burn in the white convertible. Police found the car shortly before 11 p.m.
The investigation spanned three states and involved more than 80 interviews. It was conducted by the Union County Homicide Task Force.
"There were detectives who worked almost full time on this case for almost a year," Romankow said. "This case could not have been completed if we did not have the Task Force."
Investigators had support from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Philadelphia Police Department, and help from the Green Brook Police Department and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Bond, Harris and Torres are being held on $1.5 million bail while bail for Lewis was set at $2 million, Romankow said.
14 comments:
I remember hearing about this last year. I couldn't quite understand it nor put any pieces together as to why someone would want to kill this woman unless it was because she was wealthy and they were extremely jealous. Now that i see that there was some sort of relationship with the victim and one of the suspects it makes a lot of sense. What I still don't understand how all the others allowed themselves to get involved in this nonsense when it clearly had nothing to do with it. This goes to show how much we think life is worth. No morals, no goals, no remorse foe life whatsoever. And what in the he'll was she thinking messing with a damn thug like that and she had so much going for herself, just stupid
tbynum 9458
TBynum 9458
This is sad because unfortunately, even though it kind of sounded like Worthy was doing something wrong at least for being in 2 relationships, she most definitely didn't deserve to die especially like that. At least there were detectives and the task force that worked on the case so some sort of justice was found. The criminals don't seem very smart because I don't really understand why they had to kill her and now they're caught and in more trouble. LC1736
First of all , i complement the investigators on a job well done. Although i am not conversant with this case ; however, the result of the investigation does bring a sense of closure to the families of the deceased (Tanya Worthy) .
By the same token, everytime law enforcement officers bring "bad apples" to justice ; it does boost citizens's confidence in law enforcement .
with this in mind , i supplicate Prosecutor Theodore Romankow to use this opportunity as a deterrent in order to discourage potential criminals .
Go Elizabeth !!!!!!
LJ 6631
Worthy, a 35 year old woman, business owner, rececruiter for Devry university and exwife of a deceased trooper- what a shameless woman! Beauty, BMW 645 convertable and other garbages she represents are not equal to wisdom. Her relationship with Bond tells anyone her profile. Is this how she honors her husband's unexpected death? Does she know that she works for the school system? Thus ommunity will count on her. Communities are desecrating, no conscience nor dignity among some of our citizens of this era who deceitfully pose status.
A.A. 2467
I remember hearing about this last year its horrible that this woman got killed over jealous nonsense.But now and days you cant play with peoples emotions messing around with two men because feeling get involved an nothing good ever comes out of it... SBD 3013
Hmmmm...... well I see some people are quick to critize though I'm sure they are not without faults. I think everyone should use this event as a learning experience. When you get involved with the wrong people or put yourself in a comprimising situation, nothing good can come of it. But, no matter what she did or who she was involved with I'm sure her death will be painful to those who loved her.
R.R. 4156
Khadeeja....it's was a sad story when I heard about it a year ago and today my feelings remain the same. I just don't understand why someone with dome much going for her would surround herself with people who would even be involved with such activities. Her death was very cruel. It reminds me of "mob like" activity. I hope justice is achieved in this case for no one should die that way.
Khadeeja....it's was a sad story when I heard about it a year ago and today my feelings remain the same. I just don't understand why someone with dome much going for her would surround herself with people who would even be involved with such activities. Her death was very cruel. It reminds me of "mob like" activity. I hope justice is achieved in this case for no one should die that way.
Life is funny no one know who's the perfect man or woman to choose to be with.i dont think she knew she was involved with that type of poeple, because if she knew she would not be dead by now.i strongly believe if some one say i dont want to be in the relationship with you anymore ,just leaved that person alone,because no matter what one do if the love is no longer there nothing will change that person mind. unfortunantly those crime will always happen,poeple act realy stupid when the lost some one they did not know their importance ,if i ever put myself in a relationship like that if some one have to die that would not be me,before he try i will serve him first.JS7920
The four went to the house to get (kill) her drug dealing boyfriend, who ran out of the house and left her there. It was about drugs, drug money and settling the score. It's a ashame and really didn't have to happen. It's so important to make the right decisions in life and even then life is quite hard.
As an educator, she was not to bright when she got involued with Bond. After being the wife of a good man she decided to deal with a bad boy not knowing it would take her life. Ignorance is not blissed. Elizabet Segarra
Well firstly my regards goes out to Tanya Worthy's family . In order to make a honest opinion I have to get the entire brief and facts of this case , because I always feel like the media make crimes into some what more then it really is , and they have a funny way of doing this . Good job to all in law enforcement whom work on this case on making these arrests of the defendants.It's really sad what happen and this if this case goes to trial it will cost the state a lot of tax payers money .(5062)
Wow that is serious. To be killed and burned in your car over pettiness. SK
i think they are pathetic and should be giving the maximum sentencing.
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