Hackensack woman accused of poisoning acquaintance's tea in Fort Lee
The victim drank a portion of the beverage before stopping due to an unusual taste.
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A Hackensack woman has been arrested and charged after authorities say she poisoned an acquaintance with a benzodiazepine in a cup of tea during a meeting in Fort Lee.
Rohweniven Bacani, 52, was charged with aggravated assault following a joint investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Leonia Police Department.
The investigation began on Friday, Sept.11, when police were notified about a local resident hospitalized following a serious medical episode suspected of being a poisoning. Detectives learned the victim had met with Bacani days earlier on Sept. 8 at a Fort Lee restaurant to discuss unauthorized banking activity detected in financial accounts they shared access to.
According to investigators, Bacani was already seated and had a cup of tea waiting upon the victim's arrival. The victim drank a portion of the beverage before stopping due to an unusual taste. She subsequently collapsed while leaving the restaurant and awoke in the hospital days later.
Authorities determined that Bacani added a controlled dangerous substance to the drink. Following a weekslong investigation, detectives located and arrested Bacani outside her Hackensack home on Oct.15. She was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court.
