BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the man responsible for the violent sexual assault of a woman at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater.
Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. is offering the reward. It comes one week since the crime was reported.
On July 18 at around 8:45 p.m. a woman was riding her bike at the Somerset County park when a man came up behind her when she stopped to use her cell phone, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.
The man held a knife to her throat and asked for her money. After she handed over her money, the man sexually assaulted her in the nearby bushes and then fled the area on a bicycle towards the direction of Raritan, said Robertson.
The woman described the man as Hispanic, about 5’4″ to 5’6″ tall, weighing between 151 pounds and 175 pounds with a medium to stocky build and an olive to dark skin complexion. The man was reported to be about in his 30’s with short black hair wearing a black hood and dark pants, said Robertson.
A composite sketch of the man was created by a composite sketch artist assigned to the New Jersey State Police Forensic Artist Unit. Authorities are asking for the public’s help with any information to help identify the man.
Authorities urge the public not to confront the man and notify police.
Anyone with information relating to the sexual assault is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Bridgewater Township PoliceDepartment at 908-722-4111 or via the STOPit app.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.