Teen's Screams Lead To NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted Her In Car: Cops

CLIFTON, NJ — A 22-year-old man has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenager inside his car in two North Jersey communities, officials said.

On Thursday, Oakland Police responded to a report of someone screaming in the area of Ramapo Valley Road and East Oak Street. There, they found a teenage girl who'd had an "altercation" with a man in a vehicle, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor.

Officers found the vehicle and its driver, identified as Elmer Barranco of Union City. Police "observed that he was under the influence of alcohol," the prosecutor's office said.

Detectives determined that Barranco, who knew the victim, had sexually assaulted her inside the vehicle in Oakland and in Clifton that same day, officials said.

Barranco was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

He was also issued summonses for several motor vehicle violations, prosecutors said.

Barranco was taken to the Bergen County Jail to await a first court appearance, prosecutors said.