Investigation Continues Into Gumbert Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

Last October’s near remains an open police investigation.

Police Captain David Wayman said last week that the Oct. 10 case continues to be investigated by the detective bureau and that no arrests have been made. At the time of the incident, the victim said that two men were involved.

The case involved a 20-year-old female Cranford resident walking home from Westfield in the early morning hours of Oct. 10. The victim said that as she was walking along South Chestnut Street towards North Avenue around 4 a.m., a white man, described as 35 to 40 years old started following her. The woman told police that a white minivan pulled up next to her and the man forced her into the van.

Police said that the woman told them that the van was driven by a black man around 50 years old, who then parked the van. She told police she was held at knifepoint when the men forcibly removed her clothing and engaged in what Police Chief John Parizeau called “criminal sexual contact.”

Last year, Parizeau did not elaborate on the definition of “criminal sexual contact”, but noted that no rape test was administered.

The woman was able to escape from the minivan after the two men stole two credit cards and $450 in cash. The van sped off and the woman called her father, who drove her to the police station.

Anyone with details of the incident is urged to contact the Westfield police at 908-789-4000. Police sketches of the two suspects are attached.