Sailboat Operator a Person of Interest in Sexual Assault at Cape May, NJ Park
The Lower Township Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the owner and/or operator of a Catamaran-style sail boat that was anchored in the ocean approximately 75 yards off shore of Cape May Point State Park, New Jersey on July 1st, the morning that a 39-year-old female was attacked and assaulted in a lean to on the Nature Trails at the park.
Lower Township Police Chief, Edward Donohue, stated local residents observed the vessel anchored close to shore for several days prior to the assault. Donohue stated the vessel arrived on Tues., June 29 and departed during the late afternoon of July 1.
Local residents observed a white male, approximately 30 years old, with dark hair and a thin build, on board the boat. The male appeared to be alone on the boat. Residents stated the male would row a small dingy to shore and walk the surrounding area during the days that the boat was anchored off of the park.
The Lower Township Detective Division has obtained several photos of the vessel taken by a visitor to the area while the sail boat was moored off of the beach.
The vessel is described as a twin hull Catamaran-style sail boat, approximately 35 to 40 feet in length with a white hull and white sail. The vessel has a blue canopy. The name of the vessel is the Brer Rabbit which is displayed on the hull of the boat in large blue block lettering. The registration number on the boat is undistinguishable in the photo and the home port could not be ascertained.
Donohue stated that Lower Township detectives have visited numerous marinas in the area in an attempt to locate the sail boat and have also requested the assistance of the New Jersey State Police Marine Law Enforcement Bureau and the United States Coast Guard Intelligence Unit in locating the vessel.
Donohue would not comment on whether the owner/operator of the sail boat was a person of interest in the investigation, but stated, “We would certainly like to locate him and clarify his location during the early morning hours of July 1st.”
The suspect in the assault that occurred on July 1, is described as follows; a white male, approximately 25 to 35 years old, 5’5” to 5’6” tall, with a thin build. The suspect has a scar or birth mark on his upper right forehead near his hair line. His hair line is brown in color, wavy, with the hair covering his ears. He may possibly have blue eyes. The suspect was wearing red shorts and a white plain t-shirt at the time of the assault.
Anyone who may have information concerning the Sailing Vessel, Brer Rabbit is asked to contact Detective Michael Majane of the Lower Township Police Department at 609-886-1619 ext. 112.
