Watch CBS News

Suspect Arrested In Palisades Park Sex Assaults

PALISADES PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the sexual assaults of two women in Palisades Park, New Jersey earlier this month.

Manuel Tamay was arrested and charged with sex assault and attempted sex assault, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli announced Tuesday.

The first incident happened back on Sept. 8 on West Edsall Avenue near the corner of Broad Avenue.

Authorities said a woman was followed for several blocks from the 166 NJ TRANSIT bus stop down Broad Avenue to West Edsall Avenue, when she was attacked from behind.

Two days later on Sept. 10, another woman was assaulted on the corner of East Homestead Avenue and 2nd Street, authorities said.

"Both victims came off of a local a bus, which means that he's either on that bus and getting off with them or he's just targeting," Molinelli said earlier this month.

Authorities had released a sketch after the victims provided a physical description of the suspect.

Palisades Park Assault Suspect
A sketch of a suspect in two sexual assaults in Palisades Park, New Jersey. (Credit: Bergen County Prosecutor's Office)

On Monday, Palisades Park Police officers were on patrol when they spotted a man fitting the suspect's description near the intersection of East Homestead Avenue and 3rd Street, authorities said.

When he couldn't provide any identification, authorities said he went with the officers to the Palisades Park Police Department where detectives identified him as Tamay. He was later arrested in connection with the case, authorities said.

A judge set bail at $300,000 and said Tamay must have no contact with the victims and surrender his passport. Tamay was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.