Authorities: New Jersey Man Wanted To Be Arrested To Get Drug Treatment

NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey man told investigators he wanted to go to jail so he could receive treatment for his drug addiction, authorities said.

Troy Crane, 56, demanded a Valley National Bank teller in North Plainfield cash a forged check, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office told the Courier News of Bridgewater. Bank employees told police the transaction was denied by an employee until confirmation could be authorized from the account holder.

Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson said Crane became upset with the employee and left the bank. An affidavit said Crane decided he would say anything to be arrested. He came back later and told the teller he needed money and would "attempt to rob this place,'' Robertson said.

Robertson said the teller gave Crane some money, but instead of fleeing, he sat in a chair, placed the money on the counter and asked the teller, "How long will the cops take to get here?''

Crane was arrested without incident on Friday. He is charged with uttering a forged document and false public alarm. He told police he was addicted to drugs and wanted to go to jail as a way to fight his addiction, according to an affidavit.

Roseanne Scotti, director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said she's not surprised by the story.

"About half of the adults that want drug treatment in this state can't get it because of lack of capacity and lack of funding," Scotti said. "There's waiting lists at treatment facilities all across the state and so far the state government has not taken the action it needs to take to fix this problem."

Under Gov. Chris Christie, New Jersey has expanded its drug courts that steer addicts to treatment rather than jail. But even prisoners don't get immediate help, Scotti said.

"We have people sitting in jails waiting for slots to open in drug court," Scotti said.

Crane is being held on $15,000 bail, and it's not known if he has an attorney.

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