Man Tries To Sexually Assault Warren Woman At Park: Police

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Plainfield man was arrested after dragging a Warren woman off a trail at a park in Bridgewater and trying to sexually assault her, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson.

Elvin Martinez, 18 was charged with third-degree criminal sexual contact, third-degree criminal restraint, fourth-degree criminal coercion, and simple assault, a disorderly person offense.

The alleged attack occurred on Aug. 16 at around 7:40 p.m. when 44-year-old Warren woman said she was walking along a trail at Washington Valley Park, off of Miller Lane, in Bridgewater.

The woman said an unknown Hispanic man placed a T-shirt over her face and head, pulled her off of the trail, and attempted to sexually assault her, Robertson said.

The victim bite the man and was able to break free and run away, eventually finding another hiker who called 911, according to the report.

Authorities searched the park area with the help of K-9s from the Warren Township Police Department and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

Martinez was later found by the Bridgewater Police Department and arrested without incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at
908-231-7100, or the Bridgewater Township Police Department at 908-722-4111 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) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

(Image via Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office: Elvin Martinez, 18 of Plainfield)

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