Essex County Man Accused of Impersonating Police Officer to Commit Sexual Assault

Essex County authorities have arrested a Newark man for allegedly impersonating a city police officer in an attempt to commit sexual assault on a female victim.

Police apprehended 47-year-old Luis F. Pena on Thursday, following an investigation by the Special Victims Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to prosecutors, on May 6, Pena approached the victim on the street in a gray, two-door Monte Carlo, showed her a gold police badge and inquired who would bail her out if she was arrested.

He then allegedly forced her to engage in sexual acts and threatened to put her in jail if she did not comply.

Police said that the victim managed to escape, and immediately reported the incident to authorities.

The investigation is continuing, stated the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in a release.

Pena is currently being held on $200,000 bail at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.