Man Charged With Aggravated Sexual Assault of Elderly Union Woman

UNION, NJ — A Bronx, New York man has been found after authorities say he broke into a Union home and sexually assaulted an elderly woman last week, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Union Police Director Daniel Zieser jointly announced Wednesday.

Richard Darby, 34, of Bronx, New York, is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree burglary, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree aggravated sexual contact during the commission of a burglary.

The burglary occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, July 6, where Darby broke in and sexually assaulted the elderly woman in her Union home, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Dillon, who is prosecuting the case.

Darby was charged on July 6, however, he remained at large until July 8, when members of the Union County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit found him near Manila Avenue in Jersey City.

Darby was taken to jail where authorities asked that he remain there pending trial, given the nature of the crime, Ruotolo said.

Judge Regina Caulfield granted that request following a hearing in Superior Court on Tuesday.

Darby faces 10 to 20 years in state prison and is subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA).

Anyone with further information about Darby's activities is urged to contact Union Police Det. Michael Theissen 908-851-5030, Special Victims Unit Det. Joanne Son at 908-477-1698, or Sgt. Keyla Live at 908- 370-6793.

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