A 22-year-old man was accused of sexually assaulting a teen in a car Thursday in Bergen County, investigators said.
Officers from the Oakland Police Department responded to the area of Ramapo Valley Road and East Oak Street for a report of someone screaming in the area, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
The officers found a child between the ages of 13 and 16 who said they had an altercation with a man inside of a car, the office said.
Police then found the car and its driver, 22-year-old Union City resident Elmer Barranco, and saw that he was under the influence of alcohol, authorities said.
Detectives determined that Barranco, who was acquainted with the teen, sexually assaulted them inside the car in Oakland, as well as in Clifton earlier the same day, officials said.
He was arrested and charged with two counts each of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, investigators said. was issued summonses for several motor vehicle violations.
Barranco was also issued summonses for several motor vehicle violations, the office said.
He was being held in the Bergen County Jail until his upcoming first court appearance.
Stories by Chris Sheldon
Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
Chris Sheldon may be reached at [email protected].