Crime & Safety

Sexual Assault Investigation in Point Beach Leads Prosecutor to Ask Public for Help

Photo of 'person of interest' in incident that may have occurred between Central Avenue and Water Street.

A "person of interest" in a Point Beach sexual assault case is pictured in a photograph released by the Ocean County Prosecutor's office on Thursday afternoon, with the hope that the public will help identify the man.

"Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford is asking the public to view the photographs displayed in an effort to ascertain this subject’s identity," according to a prepared statement.

"This individual is a person of interest who may have information regarding a sexual assault on the beach of an adult female," the statement says. "This occurred in the early morning hours of Monday."

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The man captured in the photos, which were pulled from surveillance video, may be Latino, may be between 5 feet, 8 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall, possibly in his late 20 or early 30s, possibly 150 to 175 pounds, wearing a white shirt with a drawstring on the collar, khaki shorts, sandals and was seen on the boardwalk between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Anyone who has information or can identify this person is requested to contact either Detective John Murphy of the Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027 ext. 2422, or Detective Clint Daniel of Point Pleasant Beach police at 732-892-0500 ext. 160.  

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The investigation involved police and the prosecutor's office closing and searching the beach and trash cans between Central Avenue and Water Street, which is on the north side, early Monday morning.

The victim is a 21-year-old woman who lives outside the Point Beach area.

Authorities believe the perpetrator also may live outside the area. Authorities are not identifying the man in the photos as a "suspect," only as a "person of interest."

Michael Mohel, deputy chief of the prosecutor's office, said, "It's an active, ongoing investigation into a sexual assault. I have no further comment because the investigation is ongoing."

He said no arrests have been made.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.


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