Raritan Man Pleads Guilty To Raping Women At 2 Somerset County Parks

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Raritan man pled guilty to raping two women at Somerset County parks in 2021 and 2022.

Rogelio Calyeca Postrero, 39, of First Avenue, Raritan, entered a guilty plea to two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault on Sept. 8.

The plea agreement is for a sentence of 16 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act where Postrero must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Postrero will also be subject to the registration and reporting requirements of Megan’s Law and the conditions of Parole Supervision for Life.

The sentence is currently scheduled for December 8, 2023.

Lewdness Arrest

On Aug. 4, 2022, at around 9:06 a.m., Raritan Borough Police got a 911 call reporting a Hispanic male around the Nevius Street Bridge possibly masturbating in public.

Officers found Postrero in the area of the bridge which matched the description given by the 911 caller, said authorities.

Postrero was arrested and charged on Aug. 4, 2022, with lewdness, a disorderly person’s offense.

During this investigation, it was also determined that Postrero was using fake identification for employment purposes in Somerset County. Postrero was also charged with two counts of third-degree knowingly exhibiting false documents.

During the investigation, it was determined that Postrero looked like both the New Jersey State Police composite sketch and the description provided by the victim of a sexual assault that occurred at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater on July 18, 2021, as well as the New Jersey State Police composite sketch and description provided by the victim of a sexual assault which occurred at Six Mile Run in Franklin on May 16, 2022.

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 authorities.

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

The victim reported to authorities that the unknown man who was on a bicycle got off his bicycle and tackled her to the ground when she was running on a trail.

The female victim fought with the man as he sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to fight off her attacker and escape from the assault, immediately notifying authorities by dialing 911.

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.

Rape Arrest

On Aug. 5, 2022, authorities charged Postrero with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault. Postrero was later indicted for additional charges. Read More: Raritan Man Charged In 2 Violent Sex Assaults At Somerset County Parks

D&R Canal Sexual Assault

Postrero was also found to be linked to a rape in Middlesex County. On June 8, 2023, Postrero pled guilty to first-degree aggravated sexual assault. He is subject to a sentence of 20 years in a New Jersey State Prison pursuant to the No Early Release Act and will be on parole supervision for life and must register under Megan’s Law.

On Sept. 28, 2021, between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., a woman was walking on a path in the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park on the border of Plainsboro and South Brunswick, when she was approached by an armed man with a knife. The man dragged her into a wooded area, demanded money and then sexually assaulted her, authorities said.

After an extensive investigation, Postrero was identified as the man who attacked the woman, authorities said.

Anyone with information relating to these matters is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

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.

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