HIGHTSTOWN, NJ — An 18-year-old Hightstown man has been arrested in the Sept. 11 sexual assault of a woman walking in the borough and in an earlier attack on another woman, authorities said Thursday.
Christian Arevalo was arrested and charged on Wednesday at the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said. The arrest came a day after authorities released surveillance video and asked the public for help identifying a person of interest. Several anonymous tips allowed detectives to identify Arevalo as the suspect, the prosecutor's office said.
Around 8 p.m. on Sept. 11, a 34-year-old woman told police she was approached from behind by an unknown man and physically and sexually assaulted while walking near Park Way and Rogers Avenue.
In that case, Arevalo is charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree aggravated assault and one count of third-degree criminal restraint.
During the investigation, detectives identified an earlier incident with a similar pattern, authorities said. Around 9:40 p.m. on Aug. 12, a Hightstown woman told police she was approached by an unknown man on North Main Street and touched inappropriately. The man ran off when she yelled, according to authorities.
For the August incident, Arevalo is charged with third-degree criminal restraint, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and two petty disorderly persons offenses: harassment by unlawful touching and criminal trespass.
The prosecutor's office has filed a motion to detain Arevalo pending trial.
Marbrey thanked residents who came forward with information that led directly to the arrest.
"This arrest demonstrates the importance of community cooperation," Marbrey said. "You may think the information you have to offer is insignificant, but sometimes it is enough to give investigators the piece they need to solve the puzzle."
Marbrey also thanked the Hightstown and East Windsor police departments and praised the prosecutor's Special Victims Unit, specifically Detectives Natalie Martinez and Michael Wherley and Sgt. Sherika Salmon.
"Over the last week and a half, detectives conducted an extensive and methodical review of surveillance footage obtained from multiple locations throughout Hightstown and East Windsor," she said. "They worked around the clock, demonstrating persistence, attention to detail, and investigative tenacity throughout the case, which ultimately led to the identification and apprehension of the suspect."
The assaults had left many residents on edge. Local faith leaders are holding a candlelight vigil Sept. 28 at the Memorial Park Bridge in support of survivors.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information, or who has had a similar encounter, is asked to contact Salmon at 609-960-3119 or Martinez at 609-331-4318. Tips can also be submitted anonymously at mercercountyprosecutor.com/tips.
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