Man Sexually Assaulted Seatmate On Bus On Route 17, Police Say

MAHWAH, NJ — A man sexually assaulted a woman he was sitting next to on a bus on Route 17 Sunday, police said.

Surrune Jones, 44, of Wilmington, Del., was charged with criminal sexual contact and false imprisonment, said Mahwah Police Captain Michael Blondin.

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Blondin said that around 11 p.m. on Sunday, Officer Gregory Lehman was patrolling Route 17 South when a bus stopped next to him. A woman "who appeared in distress" got off the bus and told Lehman that she was just sexually assaulted.

Theexited and stated that she was just sexually assaulted on the bus.

The victim told police that while heading south on the bus from Albany, the man sitting next to her typed sexually suggestive messages on his phone and placed it where she could see them.

Shortly afterward, Jones "placed his face and hands in the victim's groin area and began grabbing her," police said.

The victim pushed Jones away, but when she tried to alert the bus driver, Jones stopped her and wouldn't let her leave her seat, police said.

The woman and the bus driver both saw the police vehicle, and the bus stopped.

Police arrested Jones and took him to the Bergen County jail.

He was released to await an appearance in Superior Court, Blondin said.