News Department

Man arrested in connection with sexual assaults in Somerset County parks

SOMERVILLE, NJ (Somerset County) – A Somerset County man arrested for lewdness on August 4 in Raritan Borough, has now been charged in connection with sexual assaults in Bridgewater Township and Franklin Township, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Rogelio Calyeca Postrero, 38, of Raritan Borough is charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, lewdness, and two counts of third-degree knowingly exhibiting false government documents, McDonald said.

On Thursday, August 4, at around 9:06 a.m., police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a Hispanic male in the area of the Nevius Street Bridge in Raritan Borough possibly masturbating in public, McDonald said.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with Postrero, an individual in the area of the bridge who matched the description provided by the 9-1-1 caller. As a result of the investigation, he was arrested and charged with lewdness, McDonald said.

During this investigation, it was also determined that Postrero was utilizing fraudulent identification for employment purposes in Somerset County. He was then charged with two counts of third-degree knowingly exhibiting false documents and was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.

During the course of the on-going investigation, it was determined that Postrero resembled both the New Jersey State Police composite sketch and the description provided by the victim of a sexual assault which occurred in Bridgewater Township and Franklin Township, McDonald said.

It was on July 18, 2021, at around 9:07 p.m., police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a sexual assault in Duke Island Park in Bridgewater Township. Upon arrival, officers met with an adult female victim, a resident of a nearby town who reported being sexually assaulted by an unknown male while riding her bike in the park, McDonald said.

The victim reported that the suspect came up behind her, held a knife to her throat and asked for her money. After handing over her money, the victim reported that the male sexually assaulted her in the nearby bushes and then fled the area on his bicycle towards Raritan Borough, McDonald said.

The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic male, in his 30s, approximately 5’4 to 5’6 tall, between 151 and 175 pounds, with a medium to stocky build, an olive to dark skin complexion, short black hair, wearing a black hood and dark pants, McDonald said.

May be an image of 3 people and text that says 'Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Duke Island Park Bridgewater Twp. 7/18/2021 2021 ARRESTED Six Six Mile Run Franklin Twp. 5/16/2022 2022 Rogelio c. Postrero 38 years old resides in Raritan Borough 8/4/2022'

Then on Monday, May 16, 2022, at around 6:03 p.m., police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a sexual assault on a park trail located near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road in Franklin Township. Upon arrival, officers met with an adult female victim, who reported being assaulted by an unknown male while she was running on the trail, McDonald said.

The victim reported to authorities that the unknown male suspect who was on a bicycle got off of his bicycle and tackled her to the ground when she was running on a trail. The female victim fought with the male suspect as he attempted to sexually assault her. The victim was able to fight her attacker and escape from the assault, immediately notifying authorities by dialing 9-1-1, McDonald said.

The victim was then transported to an area hospital for treatment and released, McDonald said.

The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’6” to 5’7” tall, heavier build, approximately mid 30’s, wearing black pants or shorts, a green hoodie, and a blue gator face covering. The suspect is said to have fled the area on a bicycle, McDonald said.

Once it was determined that Postrero resembled the New Jersey State Police composite sketches, further investigation was conducted which involved the issuance of a Superior Court search warrant for his residence, McDonald said.

As a result of the execution of the Superior Court search warrant, further evidence was located including a bicycle that matched the description provided during the investigation of the Franklin Township assault. In addition, an analysis was completed by the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences Central Regional Laboratory which confirmed that Postrero’s DNA matched the profile obtained from the previous assault at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater Township, McDonald said.

On Friday, August 5, authorities charged Postrero with the aggravated sexual assaults and he remains lodged at the Somerset County Jail awaiting a detention hearing, McDonald said.

Anyone with information relating to these matters to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. 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.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

Related Articles

Back to top button