Police in Berlin New Jersey are searching for a man accused of violently assaulting a runner in a local park.
According to law enforcement, the attack occurred at Berlin Park around 9:00 a.m. The victim, a resident of Berlin, NJ, was in the process of jogging in Berlin Park when a man approached her from behind and began to attack her.
The victim managed to fend off her attacker and escape. She then ran to her car, got inside, and locked the doors. The victim used a cell phone to dial 911 and notify the Berlin Borough Police Department.
Meanwhile, the suspect ran away and fled the area on foot. By the time police officers arrived at the scene, the suspect was long gone.
The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said that Camden NJ detectives are conducting an investigation and looking for the suspect.
While Camden County police search for the assault suspect, law enforcement is asking local residents in Berlin borough to be extremely careful.
If police can eventually identify and capture the suspect, he would face severe criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), a person who causes serious bodily injury while manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life can be charged with felony aggravated assault. If the offender merely attempted to cause bodily injury to another person, they can be charged with simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a). The statute classifies simple assault as a disorderly persons offense, which means that a conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.
Anyone who has information about the assault incident or the suspect is asked to call Camden County detectives at 856-225-5166 or Berlin Borough Police Department detectives at 856-767-4700.
For further information about this case, go to the NJ.com article, “Police Searching for Man Who Assaulted Woman Jogging in Park.”
