Another woman attacked by Delaware and Raritan Canal
FRANKLIN (Somerset) - Authorities are investigating whether an attempted sexual assault Monday on a path by the Delaware and Raritan Canal is related to previous attacks in parks in Somerset and Middlesex counties.
Around 6:03 p.m. Monday, township police responded to a call of a sexual assault near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said.
A woman told police she was assaulted by a man while she was running on the trail, Taggart said. The man was riding a bicycle, got off and tackled the victim to the ground
The man, who is described as about 5’6” to 5’7” with a heavy build, in his mid 30s, wearing black pants or shorts, a green hoodie, and a blue gator face covering, fled the area on a bicycle.
The woman fought off the man as he attempted to sexually assault her and she was able to escape and call 911. She was taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released.
Franklin police along with officers from Hillsborough, South Brunswick and Montgomery established a perimeter to locate the suspect. Also responding to the scene were detectives from Franklin, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit and the New Jersey State Park Police
Taggart said investigators are also are trying to determine if this is the same man allegedly involved in previous attacks in Somerset and Middlesex counties.
READ: Man sought in sex assaults at parks in Middlesex and Somerset counties
Last September a woman was attacked and sexually assaulted while she was walking near Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park on the border of Plainsboro and South Brunswick.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office described the man as about 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6, wearing dark clothing and a dark baseball cap.
Anyone who recognizes the man's description is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 908-873-5533 or via the STOPit app.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Franklin NJ: Is recent canal sexual assault related to prior attacks?
