By: Richard L. Smith
An 18-year-old Hightstown man is facing multiple sexual assault charges following an investigation into two separate incidents involving women in the borough.
According to a statement released by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Christian Arevalo was arrested September 23 following a joint investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Hightstown Police Department.
Authorities said the investigation began after a 34-year-old woman reported that she was walking near Park Way and Rogers Avenue at approximately 8 p.m. on September 11 when an unknown man approached her from behind and physically and sexually assaulted her.
Detectives subsequently identified Arevalo as a suspect.
He was charged in connection with that incident with two counts each of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree sexual assault, along with aggravated assault and criminal restraint charges.
During the investigation, authorities discovered an earlier case with similar circumstances.
Prosecutors said an adult Hightstown woman reported that she was walking along North Main Street at approximately 9:40 p.m. on August 12 when an unknown man approached and allegedly touched her inappropriately.
The suspect reportedly ran from the area after the woman yelled.
Arevalo faces additional charges in connection with that incident, including criminal restraint, aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal sexual contact, harassment and criminal trespassing.
Authorities released two surveillance videos to the public on September 22 seeking assistance identifying the suspect.
Investigators said several anonymous tips received afterward helped detectives identify Arevalo, who was arrested the following day at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey credited members of the public for providing information that helped investigators make an arrest.
She also praised detectives from the Special Victims Unit and the Hightstown and East Windsor police departments for reviewing surveillance footage collected from multiple locations during the investigation.