Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Donell Anderson, 39, of Montclair. Anderson was charged with weapons offenses, impersonating a police officer, kidnapping, attempted aggravated sexual assault and two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
On Friday, June 11, at approximately 3 p.m. Anderson, using what appeared to be a police badge, stopped a woman on the street in Irvington and told her there was a warrant out for her arrest. He told her to get into his green Nissan Quest minivan and drove the 38-year-old victim to a cemetery on Union Avenue in Irvington where he allegedly attempted to sexually assault her.
She was able to escape and call 911. When police arrived on the scene they arrested Anderson who had a handgun and two badges in his possession.
Following his apprehension in that case, police also charged Anderson with the sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman with autism who was allegedly lured into the same green minivan and sexually assaulted at the same cemetery.
In that case, Anderson approached the young woman as she was exiting a bus in Newark. He lured her into the green minivan and took her to the cemetery on Union Street in Irvington, where he sexually assaulted her. Both victims are from Newark.
Donell was arrested on Friday on the original charges involving the 38-year-old. He was charged with the other offenses yesterday. Bail was set at $1 million.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Christine Witkowski at 973-753-1159 or the tip line at 1-877-847-7432.
The charges are mere accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
