PATERSON, NJ — Authorities are investigating the suspected drug abuse of a 75-year-old North Jersey woman after a stranger reportedly disoriented her with a contaminated object and then forced her to withdraw money from a bank.
Paterson police officers responded to St. Joseph’s Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 6, after the victim’s daughter called to report the incident. The victim was on her way home from a doctor’s appointment when another woman approached her and asked for directions, her daughter, Erica Suazo, said.
The stranger allegedly “threw something at her mother, which confused her, before she was taken to a nearby bank where the suspect forced her to withdraw $5,000,” police said.
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“She turned around and the woman was immediately standing next to her,” Suazo told CBS New York. “She had a sock on her shoulder, so she doesn’t know what happened.”
After forcing the woman to withdraw money from a Chase bank and stealing it, the suspect allegedly called a taxi and took her to another bank.
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“The victim then regained consciousness and was able to escape before the suspect forced her to withdraw more money,” police said, adding that the woman was taken to hospital for possible injuries.
Paterson City Councilman Luis Velez said other seniors have been victims of this attack and that the sock was likely laced with some drug that the victim unknowingly inhaled.
The Paterson Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident and asks anyone with information to call them at 973-321-1120.
“The PPD is urging everyone to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the department,” a police spokesperson said.
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