A Rahway man charged with committing a violent sexual assault is being sought by investigators who are requesting assistance from the public in locating him, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo announced Wednesday.
Police say Me. Wilfredo a/k/a “Will” Jose Gonzalez, 34, of the 400 block of Hamilton Street in Rahway, is charged with first-degree armed aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated assault, and third-degree possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose.
An investigation initiated by the Rahway Police Department and later expanding to involve the Special Victims Unit (“SVU”) of the Prosecutor’s Office, revealed that the adult victim met the defendant in New York City’s Penn Station during the early hours of Sunday, October 13th and traveled with him to his Rahway home via train, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Meghan Tomlinson, who is prosecuting the case.
Shortly after the pair arrived at the defendant’s home, Gonzalez allegedly produced a knife, threatening her with it, and proceeded to repeatedly physically and sexually assault her, Tomlinson said.
The victim ultimately managed to escape the scene and traveled to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Criminal charges were filed against Gonzalez last Thursday, October 17, and he has remained at large since. He is described as an approximately 5-foot-8, 160-pound male with a tan complexion, long black hair, a small bald spot on the back of his head, a short black beard, and thick eyebrows.
He is known to frequent the areas of downtown Rahway, the Bronx in New York City, and Sunrise, Florida. On the night of the assault, he is known to have been carrying a large bag containing clothing, and wearing a black North Face baseball cap.
“In light of the violent and predatory nature of this crime, we believe this defendant presents a clear danger to others,” Prosecutor Ruotolo said. “Therefore, we are seeking the public’s assistance in locating and capturing him.”
Anyone with information about this matter, or Gonzalez’s whereabouts, is being urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Sgt. Sofia Santos at 908-577-4256 or Rahway Police Department Detective Kevin Wronski at 732-827-2049.
The Union County Crime Stoppers are also offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case; tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org.