A Florida woman is accused of drugging a man she met during a night out at a casino complex, then stealing his glittering Rolex watch, valued at nearly $100,000.
Authorities believe the Rolex owner may not have been her only alleged target. Investigators are also examining Crouse’s possible connection to four other cases with similarly troubling details.
Lynda Mae Crouse, 32, was arrested Friday and charged with robbery and grand theft in connection with an April incident at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
According to an arrest report, the alleged victim told detectives he met Crouse on April 12 at the Carousel Club, an outdoor venue within the expansive racetrack and casino complex.
The two exchanged Instagram information and later made plans to see each other again, the report states.
The man then arranged for an Uber to collect Crouse from her address and take her to his home.
After arriving, the pair drank together. But the man told investigators he had not consumed enough alcohol to account for what allegedly unfolded afterward.
During the evening, he reportedly left Crouse alone in his living room while he went to his bedroom to change clothes.
Florida woman Lynda Mae Crouse, 32, is accused of drugging a man she met at Gulfstream Park and taking his diamond-encrusted Rolex, valued at $98,400.
Investigators allege Crouse targeted men wearing high-value watches at bars and clubs. Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, is pictured.
The alleged victim told investigators he first crossed paths with Crouse on April 12 at the Carousel Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida
It was after returning that the night allegedly took a disturbing turn.
The man told investigators he began feeling ‘funny’ and ‘extremely tired’ and recalled hearing an unusual clapping sound coming from the living room.
When he went back into the room, he allegedly noticed that Crouse was behaving differently.
She then announced that she was going home, according to the arrest report.
The man told investigators he felt his own condition was deteriorating rapidly as he suddenly became increasingly tired and confused before quickly falling asleep.
Several hours later, he woke up with a nagging suspicion that something was seriously wrong.
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The man told authorities he still felt strange and believed he had been drugged.
His thoughts immediately turned to his collection of valuables and, specifically, his expensive watch.
Authorities described the missing Rolex as a gold 40mm Presidential featuring baguette diamond hour markers and round diamonds covering the entire bezel with a value of $98,400
When he checked his Rolex box, he discovered that the luxury timepiece had vanished.
Authorities described the missing Rolex as a gold 40mm Presidential featuring baguette diamond hour markers and round diamonds covering the entire bezel with a value of $98,400.
The man subsequently identified Crouse from a photo lineup.
Investigators allege the Gulfstream Park encounter may be far from an isolated incident.
Authorities said Crouse is also linked to four other active cases in Miami-Dade County, including investigations in Aventura, Miami and Miami Beach.
Those cases allegedly follow a similar pattern, with authorities claiming Crouse appears to target men wearing high-end watches at bars and clubs before using a sedative to incapacitate them and steal valuables.
In one of those other cases, investigators said toxicology testing on an alleged victim detected zolpidem.
Those cases allegedly follow a similar pattern, with authorities claiming Crouse appears to target men wearing high-end watches at bars and clubs before using a sedative to incapacitate them and steal valuables. Pictured, Gulfstream Park Casino and racetrack in Hallandale, Florida
The prescription sleep medication is a sedative that can cause rapid drowsiness as well as confusion and memory impairment, effects that can be heightened when it is combined with alcohol.
The allegations are reminiscent of a type of theft sometimes referred to by law enforcement as a ‘bad date’ crime, in which a victim meets someone socially before becoming incapacitated and discovering valuables missing afterward.
In the April case, the man confirmed that although he had initially been drinking with Crouse, he maintained the quantity of alcohol he consumed would not ordinarily have caused him to black out.
Investigators ultimately arrested Crouse months after the alleged encounter.
She was booked into jail Friday on charges of robbery and grand theft before later being released on $2,000 bond.