Hostage Scam Triggers Rapid Police Response at Chase Bank
Police from surrounding towns as well as the county and state converged on the Chase Bank on Saddle River Road after receiving reports of a robbery in progress. The situation turned out to be a misunderstanding brought on by a kidnap hoax.
Police from across Bergen County rushed to the Chase Bank in Fair Lawn Thursday amid reports of a robbery in progress. Upon investigation, however, the robbery suspect ended up being the real victim in what police said is a common hostage scam. The victim, who was not identified by police, received a cell phone call from an unknown individual claiming to have his brother-in-law hostage and demanding an $800 ransom, police said. The caller remained on the phone with the man, refusing to allow him to hang up, according to police reports. In fear for his brother-in-law's life, the man drove to the Chase Bank on Saddle River Road to withdraw the money. In the process, he passed a note to the bank teller that said his brother-in-law had been …
Rick
9:11 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Officers from Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Ridgewood, Paramus as well as the county, sheriff's office and state police departments rushed to the bank and established a perimeter. This hap-hazard approch to responding put others at risk. Please tell me how this is legal and trainided for to ensure saftey. SCI New Jersey. more ›