Man climbed through window, sexually assaulted child at N.J. home, authorities say – NJ.com

An Essex County man was arrested Friday on charges of strangling and sexually assaulting a child during a home invasion in Clifton earlier this week, authorities said.

Andres Vasquez, 24, of Belleville, faces charges of aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint, criminal sexual contact and burglary in the May 31 attack, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi.

“The investigation revealed that Mr. Vasquez climbed through the window of the victim’s bedroom, confined the victim in the room, then strangled and sexually assaulted the victim,” the prosecutor and police chief said in a statement.

Police collected evidence, interviewed the child and witnesses, according to the statement.

The victim did not know Vasquez, according to Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Alanna M. Jereb, of the office’s Major Crimes Division Sexual Investigations Unit.

Vasquez was in custody at the Passaic County Jail and prosecutors filed a motion to have him stay jailed ahead of a trial, according to Valdes. Defense attorney information was not available.

The prosecutor’s office asked anyone with information to contact investigators at 877-370-PCPO.

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Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.