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The assault occurred on the path behind the Blessed Sacrament Church on Washington Valley Road in Bridgewater just before 9:55 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said.
The victim, a Bridgewater resident, told investigators that she had been walking on the path behind the church when the man “came up behind her and placed his hands over her eyes and mouth.”
Both fell to the ground, and after a brief struggle, the man took the victim’s cell phone and ran from the scene before fleeing in a dark-colored SUV.
The man is described as being light-skinned, in his 30s or 40s and having an average build, McDonald said. He was wearing a button-down short-sleeve shirt, white t-shirt, shorts, and a hat.
The victim’s cell phone was found following a search of the surrounding area.
The investigation is being led by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bridgewater Police Department. According to detectives, the incident was limited to the area of the path behind the Blessed Sacrament Church and did not involve any services or parishioners.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, the Bridgewater Township Police Department at (908) 722-4111 or use the STOPit app.
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