Somerset County officials announced that the investigation continues into a sexual assault that occurred near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road, Franklin Township, New Jersey and are releasing a composite sketch of the alleged actor.
Prosecutor Taggart stated that on Monday, May 16, 2022, at approximately 6:03 p.m., Franklin Township Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a sexual assault on a park trail (Six Mile Run) located near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road.
Upon arrival, officers met with an adult female victim, who reported being assaulted by an unknown male while she was running on the trail.
Responding Franklin Township Police, along with Officers from Hillsborough Township Police Department, South Brunswick Police Department and Montgomery Township Police Department, proceeded to establish a perimeter in an attempt to locate the suspect.
Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit and New Jersey State Park Police responded to conduct the investigation.
The victim reported to authorities that the unknown male suspect, who was on a bicycle, got off of his bike and tackled her to the ground when she was running on a trail.
The female victim fought with the male suspect as he attempted to assault her sexually. The victim was able to resist her attacker and escape from the assault, immediately notifying authorities by dialing 9-1-1.
The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic male approximately 5’6” to 5’7”, heavier build, approximately mid 30’s, wearing black pants or shorts, a green hoodie, and a bluegator face covering.
The suspect is said to have fled the area on a bicycle. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment and released.
On May 17, 2022, a forensic artist assigned to the New Jersey State Police Forensic Imaging Unit responded to assist in the investigation.
A composite sketch of the alleged suspect was generated and is being released to the public by authorities in an effort to generate leads.
The public is urged not to confront the suspect if he is known to them and to notify the proper authorities.
Prosecutor Taggart stated that detectives are attempting to determine if the suspect involved in this recent incident is the same actor involved in previously reported attacks in Somerset and Middlesex Counties.