Passaic Co. Man Raped Burglary Victim At Knifepoint, Prosecutors Say

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A 27-year-old Passaic County man faces several charges after breaking into home and assaulting one of its occupants, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Valentino Tusha, of Prospect Park, was arrested this week after being accused of breaking into an acquaintance’s house and sexually assaulting them at knifepoint, police said.

Tusha is charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree home invasion burglary, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

On Sunday, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit opened an investigation on an aggravated sexual assault had taken place at a home in Lodi.

Investigators determined that the primary suspect was Tusha and he and the victim knew each other, police said.

Police and SWAT located Tusha that same day in Prospect Park, and he was arrested without incident.

Tusha was taken to the Bergen County Jail to await court proceedings.