Woman escapes alleged sexual assault on bus, finds officer during traffic stop
Police say the woman escaped from the man and alerted the bus driver after he allegedly prevented her from leaving her seat.
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A Delaware man was charged after police said he sexually assaulted a woman on a bus traveling through Mahwah late Sunday night.
Mahwah police said an officer was conducting a traffic stop on Route 17 South around 11 p.m. when a bus stopped nearby. A woman who appeared distressed got off the bus and told the officer she had just been sexually assaulted.
Police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Surrune Jones, of Wilmington, Delaware, and detained him.
Investigators said Jones did not know the woman but had been seated next to her during a bus ride from the Albany area. Police said Jones typed sexually suggestive messages on his phone and positioned the screen so the woman could see them.
Police said Jones then placed his face and hands in the woman's groin area and began grabbing her. The woman pushed him away and tried to alert the bus driver, but Jones continued to physically obstruct her and prevent her from leaving her seat, according to police.
The woman eventually got past Jones and approached the driver. Police said the driver then saw the police vehicle and stopped the bus.
Jones was charged with criminal sexual contact and false imprisonment. He was released pending a court appearance.
