MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Maplewood Police Chief Jim DeVaul announced on Oct. 21 that authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the sexual assault and home invasion that occurred in Maplewood on Tuesday, Oct. 16. After an extensive investigation, detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Maplewood Police Department have charged Muhammad Sharif, age 40, of Irvington, with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and burglary. Sharif was taken into custody on Saturday, Oct. 20.
Stephens commended the efforts of the members of his office’s Special Victims Unit and Major Crimes Unit as well as detectives from the Maplewood Police Department.
“Personnel from both agencies worked tirelessly during this joint investigation and their efforts resulted in the swift arrest of the suspect,” Stephens said.
Sharif has been remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark pending an appearance in the Essex County Central Judicial Processing Court. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Prosecutor’s Tips Line at 877-847-7432.
No further information is available at this time.
The charges against this defendant are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless or until proved guilty in a court of law.
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