Man Kidnapped, Assaulted 2 Women At Gunpoint: Passaic Co. Officials

PATERSON, NJ — A Paterson man faces a number of charges after officials said he kidnapped two women at gunpoint, robbed them, and groped one of the victims in two separate incidents.

The robberies took place in the morning hours on April 20 and April 23, said Paterson Police Chief Isa Abbassi and Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.

The first was reported in the area of Market Street and East 22nd Street. Officials said a man with a gun approached a 27-year-old woman around 6 a.m., and forced her to go to a more remote location. The woman told police that the stranger then took her belongings, touched her genital area, and fled.

On April 23, another woman reported a similar crime where a man threatened her with a gun at approximately 5:10 a.m. and stole her belongings. Authorities said he then forced her to another location, tried to grope her, and fled.

Paterson Police investigators identified 28-year-old Diquan A. West as a suspect in both cases and arrested him on April 29 without incident, officials said.

West faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree armed robbery, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, weapons offenses, and others. Prosecutors have filed a motion for him to remain detained before trial, officials said.

Anyone with additional information on the robberies is asked to contact the Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org, or contact the Paterson Police at 973-321-1342.