PATERSON, New Jersey. - When Police began a search for drugs at the home of Michael Mendez, whom they suspected to be a member of a Latin drug gang, in Paterson, New Jersey, they instead discovered a 44-year-old woman who appeared to kept trapped within the four-wall for as long as possibly as ten years.
The identity of the woman remains undisclosed, but acting sergeant 1st class Brian Polite told the Associated Press that evidence suggests the woman was kept locked in the house, with periodic breaks when her boyfriend, Mendez, was home. Sgt. Polite said that possibly her longest time locked without a break in a room was as long two years, but her entire confinement could amount to ten years.
While some neighbor's claim to have seen the woman every once in a while including a cleaning man who told reporters he recalled a woman who was "cussing me out one time when I was doing my work," but other neighbors claim to have never seen nor heard of any woman living in Mendez' apartment.
"I didn't see any woman...This is the first I'm hearing of it," one resident, who remains anonymous tells the Associated Press.
42-year-old Mendez was taken into custody, police believe him to be a member of the Latin Kings street gangs. The 42-year-old is being kept in Passaic County Jail since Monday. He is being charged with kidnap, false imprisonment and some drug related charges.
Police revealed that they discovered they found $2000 worth of marijuana (190 grams to be precise), 4,200 prescription pills valued at $100,000, and approximately $23,000 in cash.
In addition to the charges that await him, Mendez possess two convictions for aggravated assault.
The woman is also taken into custody and is currently receiving medical evaluation. Mendez could not be reached for comments.
