Cops blast warning to town after woman is followed home and sexually assaulted

A 24-year-old woman was sexually assaulted inside her Maplewood home Tuesday morning by a man who followed her there and forced his way inside, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said.

The attacker remained at large Wednesday. A description of the attacker was not made immediately available.

The attack occurred at about 11:30 a.m., the prosecutor’s office said Wednesday morning. They did not say exactly where the incident occurred in town and did not immediately have any description of the offender.

The woman was transported to an area hospital, where she was treated and released, authorities said.

Maplewood police have added additional patrols in the area, and have alerted the community of the incident on social media, police and prosecutors said.

Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul posted an online notice Tuesday evening warning residents to be aware of their surroundings, not to open their door for strangers, and to report suspicious activity by calling 9111.

Anyone with information for police can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo.

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