A 45-year-old Plainfield man has been charged in connection with a sexual assault that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 20, in North Plainfield, but remains at large, officials said.
Oscar Vasquez Barraza is accused of attacking a woman around 2:07 a.m. as she was walking home on Manning Avenue. According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the victim attempted to flee and sustained injuries to her hands, knees, and foot before the suspect caught up and sexually assaulted her.
During the assault, the victim was able to call 911, prompting the suspect to flee. Officers arrived shortly after and began investigating the scene alongside detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
Detectives later identified Vasquez Barraza as the suspect. He was charged on Tuesday, July 22, with second-degree Sexual Assault and fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
Authorities are actively searching for Vasquez Barraza and have asked the public to report any information regarding his whereabouts.
Key Points
- Oscar Vasquez Barraza was charged in a July 20 sexual assault in North Plainfield
- The victim was attacked while walking home and was able to call 911 during the assault
- The suspect fled the scene and remains at large
A Plainfield man charged in a brutal sexual assault remains on the run nearly two weeks after the attack.