Police arrested a Rockaway Township man accused of sexually assaulting a 5-year-old boy at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall.
The sex crime incident reportedly occurred in a restroom at the mall. The suspect allegedly approached the victim as he was using the bathroom at the Rockaway NJ mall.
The victim later told investigators that the suspect touched his intimate body parts at some point during the incident.
Additionally, the suspect allegedly tried to lure another small child at the mall’s Target store at a later date. The suspect reportedly threatened to cut the 5-year-old boy unless the child went with him.
At this time, it is unclear if the suspect knew either of the alleged victims.
After both victims notified authorities of the alleged sex crimes, law enforcement began an investigation. Several agencies and departments assisted with the investigation, including the Rockaway Township Police Department, the Rockaway Borough Police Department, New Jersey State Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
The 34-year-old suspect was eventually placed under arrest. He has been charged with a number of sexual offenses, including sexual assault, luring, and endangering the welfare of a child. The suspect has also been charged with attempted kidnapping, terroristic threats, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
After being arrested and charged, the suspect was taken to the Morris County Jail in lieu of separate bail amounts of $200,000 for each alleged sex crime. Additionally, the suspect will be required to avoid contact with the victims and any other children if and when he secures his release on bail.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is actively investigating the case. Anyone who has information about the suspect is asked to contact the prosecutor’s office Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200.
To learn more about this case, read the DailyRecord.com article entitled “Man Accused of Touching, Threatening Boys at Rockaway Mall.”
