MAPLEWOOD, NJ — An 18-year-old woman responded to the Maplewood Police Department to report that she had been sexually assaulted on Aug. 2, according to a release sent Aug. 10 by the Maplewood Police Department. The victim, a resident of Florida, reported that she had been walking to a family member’s home at approximately 9:30 p.m. when she was knocked to the ground and sexually assaulted in DeHart Park.
The victim was transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation and the police investigation was initiated at that time. As the investigation progressed, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office was notified and Maplewood police increased police patrols in township parks as investigative leads were being developed, according to police.
Working on leads and with the assistance of Irvington and Union police, Maplewood detectives developed a strong suspect, the release stated. On Aug. 3, Union police arrested Brian McPherson, 19, of Irvington for the crime; on Aug. 4, Maplewood police charged McPherson with kidnapping and sexual assault. McPherson was processed by police and transferred to the Essex County Correctional Facility, according to police reports.
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