Sources: Missing N.C. woman was expelled from NYC college

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Sources say that a 19-year-old Winston-Salem woman considered missing by New York City police had been expelled from St. John's University.

Freshman Erica Desai was last seen around 10:30 p.m. Jan 20 when a cousin dropped her off at her dorm near Union Turnpike and Utopia Parkway in the Queens borough.

Police said that university officials told them that Desai, a freshman, was expelled recently after being accused of using someone else's credit card.

Surveillance cameras caught an unidentified man and woman using Desai's debit card at a Bank of America ATM at 44th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan a day later.

Her sister called Desai's disappearance "unusual and very disturbing."

Desai's family from Winston-Salem has flown up to New York to help search for her.

Police said Desai stand 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue blazer, green jumpsuit and black shoes.

Anyone with information was asked to call New York Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).