Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Maplewood Police Chief Police Chief Jim DeVaul announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Maplewood Police Department are investigating a home invasion, sexual assault of a young woman.
Police say the female.victim first encountered the man around 11:30 a.m. yesterday.
The preliminary investigation indicates that he followed her home, forced his way into her house and sexually assaulted her.
She was transported to an area hospital, where doctors treated then released her police said.
The suspect remains at large.
Maplewood has a stepped-up police presence throughout the town.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.