Somerset County officials reported that there is an investigation into a sexual assault that occurred near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road, Franklin Township.
Prosecutor Taggart stated that on Monday, May 16, at approximately 6:03 p.m., Franklin Township Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a sexual assault on a park trail 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 bicycle 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 sexually assault her. The victim was able to fight 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 blue gator 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.
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.
Detectives are requesting the publics assistance if they observed any individual matching the description provided by the victim to contact authorities.