Car Service Employee Accused of Sexually Assaulting Customer in Union County, Prosecutor Says

A 25-year-old Linden man hired through a car service to drive a Roselle Park woman and her friend around to several places on Saturday is now accused of sexually assaulting her.

According to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Efren Madrigal has been charged with:

• Aggravated sexual assault, first-degree
• Sexual assault, second-degree
• Criminal sexual contact, third-degree
• Criminal sexual contact, fourth-degree

“A joint investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit and the Roselle Park Police Department revealed that 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,” according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Colleen Ruppert, who is prosecuting the case.

The alleged sexual assault took place later that night, after Madrigal, the victim, and her friend spent time playing cards and talking, authorities say.

Madrigal was arrested without incident at his home Wednesday afternoon. He is lodged at Union County Jail and his bail was set at $200,000.