2 Women Assaulted At Union County Parks, 3 Arrested

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Three people were arrested in connection with three separate incidents at Union County Parks, including the assaults of two women.

Assaults

Subscribe

On June 24 and Aug. 1, two separate assaults on women were reported at Conant Park in Hillside near Kean University, said Union County Police.

During one of the assaults, the victim's cellphone was reportedly stolen.

No serious injuries were reported to the women, and the suspect fled before officers arrived.

An investigation by Union County Police Detectives Capra and Rodrigues led to the arrest of 19-year-old Erick Santiago Cabrera-George of Elizabeth.

Cabrera-George was charged with:

• one count of second-degree robbery
• two counts of third-degree aggravated assault
• one count of third-degree aggravated assault with a weapon
• one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault
• one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
• one count of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon

He was processed and is currently being held in Essex County.

Fire

On Sept. 1, Union County Police officers conducting a routine security check at Phil Rizzuto Park in Union saw smoke, soot and fire damage inside one of the park's restrooms, said police.

The fire was intentionally set and caused several thousand dollars in damage to the facility, according to investigators.

On Sept. 15, an investigation by Union County Police Officer Mascitelli led to the arrest of 18-year-old Richard Ramos of Elizabeth.

Ramos was charged with one count of second-degree aggravated arson, one count of third-degree arson and one count of third-degree criminal mischief.

He was processed at Union County Police Headquarters and is being held at the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance in Union County Superior Court.

Theft

On July 22, a large amount of electronic equipment was stolen from a property at 61–99 West Grand Street in Elizabeth, said police.

On Sept. 14, Union County Police Officer Gray's investigation led to the recovery of several thousand dollars' worth of electronic equipment and the arrest of 32-year-old Nicolas Penagos of Roselle.

Penagos was charged with one count of second-degree dealing in stolen property and one count of second-degree receiving stolen property.

He was processed at Union County Police Headquarters and is being held at the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance in Union County Superior Court.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.