Salem Winter Island Park Attack Suspect Charged: Police

SALEM, MA — Salem police charged an 18-year-old city man with assault with attempt to rape and witness intimidation after responding to a report of an attack at Winter Island Park early Tuesday night.

Police said Jarrod Paul Brousseau was also charged with assault and battery on a person over 14, and assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury, after an investigation.

Police said they were called to Winter Island Park shortly after 6:30 on Tuesday by a victim who said they had just been assaulted. Police said the victim provided a description of the person accused of the attack and that officers located a man matching that description minutes later walking along a roadway away from the park.

"He briefly attempted to elude police by going into the wood line," Salem police said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "The officer made contact with him, while officers spoke with him."

Brousseau was held without bail following arraignment on Wednesday pending a dangerousness hearing set for May 1.