A Paterson man has been charged in the gunpoint kidnapping and robberies of two women in separate incidents last month, authorities said.
Diquan A. West, 28, faces two counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts first-degree armed robbery and other charges, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.
Valdes said the crimes occurred on April 20 and 23 when a man with a gun approached the women in Paterson during early morning hours, forced them to remote locations, took their belongings and groped or attempted to grope them.
“Based on the investigation, police identified Diquan A. West as the assailant in both incidents,” Valdes said in a statement.
West was arrested at Paterson Police Department headquarters on April 29, Valdes said.
In addition to kidnapping and robbery charges, West was charged with two counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, third-degree attempted aggravated criminal sexual contact, and weapons offenses, Valdes said.
A detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call the prosecutor’s office at 877-370-PCPO or email tips@passaiccountynj.org. Paterson police can be reached at 973-321-1342.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
