Piscataway woman sexually assaulted in 'shocking' midday home invasion; suspect in custody
PISCATAWAY – A 26-year-old Mercer County man has been charged with sexual assault, attempted murder and other offenses in connection with a home invasion Thursday afternoon that Mayor Brian Wahler called "repugnant and shocking."
Justin Surofsky, of Highstown, was arrested without incident Thursday and is facing two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree criminal attempted murder and robbery; second-degree burglary, kidnapping and aggravated assault; and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact and criminal restraint, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said.
First-degree charges carry a minimum state prison term of 10 years.
At about 1:24 p.m. Thursday police responded to a residence in the Morris Avenue area just south of Town Hall on reports of an assault, according to a source. Upon arrival, they found an adult female victim with injuries, and she was taken to the hospital for treatment, Ciccone said.
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The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office did not release the address of the home or the age of the victim.
An investigation revealed that the victim had been sexually assaulted and that Surofsky was the assailant, according to Ciccone.
“That these heinous acts of unspeakable violence were committed anywhere in this world is abhorrent, but it is especially repugnant and shocking to have taken place in this township,” Mayor Brian Wahler said.
"This is the neighborhood where I grew up, this is the house across the street from my childhood home, and I am devastated by the barbarity committed against one of our residents,” he added.
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Surofsky is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a detention hearing in Superior Court, Ciccone said.
“I am extraordinarily grateful for the immediate, collaborative and effective response of our township police department, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and neighbors of the victim whom were all instrumental in the perpetrator being captured within hours,” Wahler said. “While the legal process will need to work its course, I hope that a conviction is secured swiftly and that the punishment is severe.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Piscataway Police Detective Sean Morelli at 732-562-2355 or Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Daniela Castro at 732-745-3652.
Email: alewis@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Piscataway NJ home invasion, sexual assault suspect arrested
