NJ Woman, Forced To Withdraw $5K At Bank, May Have Been Drugged: PD

PATERSON, NJ — Authorities are investigating the apparent drugging of a 75-year-old North Jersey woman after a stranger reportedly used a contaminated object to disorient her, then forced her to withdraw money at a bank.

Paterson Police officers responded to St. Joseph's Hospital on the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 6, after the victim's daughter called to report the incident. The victim was walking home from a doctor's appointment when another woman approached her asking for directions, her daughter Erica Suazo said.

The stranger reportedly "threw something at her mother which disoriented her, before she was taken to a nearby bank where the suspect forced her to withdraw $5,000," police said.

"She turned around, the lady was instantly next to her," Suazo told CBS New York. "There was a sock on her shoulder, so she doesn't know what happened."

After coercing the woman to withdraw money from a Chase Bank and stealing it, the suspect reportedly called a cab and took them to another bank.

"The victim then regained her awareness and got away before the suspect forced her to withdraw more money," police said, adding that the woman was taken to the hospital for possible injuries.

Paterson Councilman Luis Velez said that other seniors have been targeted in this way, and that the sock was likely laced with some kind of drug that the victim unknowingly breathed in.

The Paterson Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident, and is asking anyone with information to call them at 973-321-1120.

"PPD urges anyone to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activities to the department," a police spokesperson said.