Cops: Suspect Tied, Pepper-Sprayed Woman in Bergen County Hotel, Then Stole iPhone

A 20-year-old Orange woman was finally arrested after allegedly tying up, pepper-spraying and robbing a woman of cash and an iPad in a Bergen County hotel nearly three months ago.

Andrea Rivers was arrested and charged with second degree robbery, third degree criminal restraint and third degree terroristic threats, Lyndhurst Police Chief John Valente said.

Lyndhurst Police Officers arrived to the Quality Inn Hotel in Lyndhurst on the evening of Sept. 24 to find the 21-year-old victim from Brooklyn who was “visibly upset [and] reported that she had been assaulted, sprayed with pepper spray and then robbed while in her hotel room,” Chief Valente said.

According to the victim, someone knocked on her door and when she opened it, she found ”an unknown suspect wearing a mask.” She was then pepper sprayed, ”had her hands bound with zip-ties and [she was] told not to scream or she would be killed.”

Rivers also allegedly duct taped the victim’s mouth before stealing $200 in cash, an Apple iPhone and a back-pack containing clothes and make-up before fleeing the scene.

“The victim was eventually able to free herself by using scissors to cut the zip-ties at which time she then called the front desk who in turn notified police,” Chief Valente said.

Although Rivers was said to be wearing a mask, she was identified by the victim who recognized her voice.

The victim was treated at the scene by Lyndhurst EMS for abrasions to her face, right elbow, right knee and both forearms, Chief Valente said. She refused to be transported to a medical facility.

An arrest warrant was issued for Rivers who was eventually located and formally charged.

Bail was set at $70,000 with no ten percent option. Rivers was transported to the Bergen County Jail on Dec. 16 in lieu of bail.