Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Luis F. Pena, a man impersonating a Newark Police Officer, has been arrested and charged with two counts of second degree sexual assault and one count of criminal coercion.
The crimes allegedly occurred on May 6 in Newark. Following an investigation by the Special Victims Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Pena, 47, of Newark was arrested yesterday.
Authoriities said it is alleged that Pena approached the victim on the street in a gray two-door Monte Carlo, showed her a gold police badge and inquired who would bail her out if she was arrested. He then forced her to engage in sexual acts, threatening to put her in jail if she did not comply according to authorities.
When she escaped, she reported the incident to police.
Pena is currently being held on $200,000 bail at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.
The investigation is continuing.