Police went to the apartment of a gang member to search for drugs and found something that they didn’t expect to see.  A 44-year old woman was found, believed to have been kept in a locked room for as long as 10 years.  Police found the woman when the gang unit searched the Patterson, New Jersey home of Michael Mendez, who is believed to be a member of the Latin Kings street gang.

Mendez is in Passaic County Jail and the woman is being evaluated by doctors. Spokesman acting Sgt. 1st Class Brian Polite says that he believes that the woman was kept in the bedroom for long periods of time over the last two years and possibly much longer.  The woman was sometimes allowed out of the room when her boyfriend was home.

Mendez has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, and many other counts.  Officers found over $100,000 worth of drugs in his apartment.

– Madam Prezident