Car service driver sexually assaulted woman in Union County, authorities say

Authorities say a paid car service driver from Linden sexually assaulted a woman in Roselle Park last weekend.

Efren Madrigal, 25, was arrested without incident at his home Wednesday afternoon, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park and Roselle Park Police Chief Paul Morrison jointly announced Thursday.

The victim, a borough resident, was spending time with a female friend Saturday evening when the friend invited Madrigal – an employee of a car service who had driven them from place to place that night – to the victim’s apartment, the joint statement quoted Union County Assistant Prosecutor Colleen Ruppert, who is prosecuting the case, saying.

After the three spent time playing cards and talking, the alleged sexual assault took place later that night, Ruppert said.

Madrigal is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree criminal sexual contact and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Bail for Madrigal was set at $200,000 by state Superior Court Judge Robert J. Mega, after which he was lodged in Union County Jail.

Convictions on first-degree crimes can result in sentences of 10 to 20 years in state prison.