Man Arrested In 2 Violent Sex Assaults At Somerset County Parks

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A man wanted in the violent sexual assaults of two women at Somerset County parks has been arrested, announced Somerset County First Assistant Prosecutor Annemarie Mueller at a news conference Wednesday.

Rogelio Calyeca Postrero, 38, of First Avenue in Raritan, was arrested after a 911 call reported a Hispanic man masturbating on the Nevius Street Bridge on Thursday, Aug. 4 at 9:06 a.m., said Mueller.

Raritan Borough Police Officers found Postrero in the area of the bridge who matched the description given by the 911 caller. He also gave police fake government documents (a fake social security card and fake permanent residence card) for a restaurant in Somerset County, said Mueller.

He was charged with lewdness, a disorderly person’s offense, and two counts of third-degree Knowingly Exhibiting False Documents.

"During the investigation, it was also determined that he resembled the sketches of two unsolved sexual assaults in Somerset County," said Mueller.

The two sex assaults occurred on Sunday, July 18, 2021, at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater and on May 16, 2022 at Six Mile Run in Franklin Township.

Duke Island Park Sex Assault

At around 9 p.m. on July 18, 2021, a woman from a nearby town reported being sexually assaulted by an unknown man while biking in the park. Read More: Woman Sexually Assaulted At Knifepoint At Duke Island Park

She reported that the man came up behind her, held a knife to her throat and demanded money.

"She gave him $20. He had his arm around her throat and dragged her off the path into the bushes. He sexually assaulted her there," said Mueller.

The man then fled the area on his bicycle towards Raritan.

She described the suspect as a Hispanic man about 5-foot 4-inches to 5-foot 6-inches tall, weighing between 151 and 175 pounds with a medium to stocky build and an olive to dark skin complexion. The man was reported to be in his 30s with short black hair wearing a black hood and dark pants.

Six Mile Run Sex Assault

At around 6 p.m. on May 16, 2022, a 911 call reported a sexual assault on a park trail located near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road - also known as Six Mile Run in Franklin Township. Read More: Man Tackles Runner, Tries To Sexually Assault Her On Franklin Trail

A woman reported being assaulted by an unknown man while she was running on the trail.

"The suspect took her to the ground and she fought him as he sexually assaulted her," said Mueller.

She gave a similar description of a Hispanic man standing at 5-foot 6-inches to 5-foot seven-inches tall, mid-30s with a green hoodie.

He fled on a bike, said Mueller.

DNA Results

Following the Neivus Street Bridge incident, police searched Postrero's home and found the bike and clothing matching the description from the Franklin Township sexual assault, said Mueller.

An analysis was also completed by the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences Central Regional Laboratory which confirmed that Postrero’s DNA matched the DNA gathered previously from the two women during the sexual assaults at Duke Island Park and Six Mile Run.

On Friday, Aug. 5, Postrero was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault. Postrero remains at the Somerset County Jail awaiting a detention hearing in the matter.

Mueller asked that anyone who may have been with information relating to these assaults or any other victims to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit or local police.

"We will address your case with the dignity and respect you deserve," said Mueller.

Middlesex County Sex Assault

Another sex assault was also reported in Middlesex County on Sept. 28, 2021 between 4:30 to 5 p.m., where a woman was walking on a path adjacent to the Delaware and Raritan Canal when a man armed with a weapon approached her. He took her to another location on the Plainsboro-South Brunswick border and sexually assaulted her, according to authorities. Read More: Man Wanted In Sexual Assault May Be Tied To Duke Island Attack

The man is described as Hispanic, in his 40's to 50's, about 5'5"to 5'6" tall, wearing dark-colored clothing and a dark baseball cap. The man is believed to have been riding a bike., according to authorities.

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is currently working with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office to determine if Postrero is linked to that assault as well, said Mueller.

Prosecutor John McDonald thanked Chief Raymond Nolte and members of the Raritan Borough Police Department, Chief Paul Payne and members of the Bridgewater Township Police Department, Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather and members of the Franklin Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences Central Regional Laboratory, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Franklin Township Resident Agency for their assistance in this investigation. McDonald also commends the private citizen who notified Raritan Borough Police of the alleged act of lewdness which led authorities to the arrest of the Postrero.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 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.

Watch the full press conference on the arrest below:

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.