Police still searching for suspect

Police still
searching
for suspect
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

Pedro Torres Soriano

FREEHOLD — The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Freehold Borough Police Department are reissuing information as they continue to look for a Mexican national who is wanted in connection with the aggravated sexual assault of an 83-year-old borough woman in 1999.

The crime occurred in a private home in the vicinity of St. Rose of Lima Church near South and McLean streets late June 28 or early June 29. Police said the woman’s assailant entered her residence by tearing out a screen. He then sexually assaulted the woman.

The woman contacted family members at about dawn June 29 to report what had happened. She was treated at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, and released.

Ever since that time authorities have been trying to locate Pedro Torres Soriano, now 24, who was a neighbor of the victim, in connection with this case. He has not been seen since the incident.

According to Freehold Borough police Capt. Michael DiAiso, a flier with Soriano’s photo and description is reissued annually at this time of year.

"There is always an influx of new workers [day laborers] at this time of year," DiAiso said. "Because of this fact, we think [Soriano] may return and, once here, try to remain anonymous and work again. Due to the undocumented factor and the lack of identification, he may try to use an alias."

According to earlier reports, no charges have been lodged against Soriano, but authorities say he is wanted for questioning in connection with this crime. Soriano is described as a 5-foot, 6-inch tall Hispanic male, with black hair and black eyes, weighing 140 pounds.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Soriano should contact the Freehold Borough Police Department at (732) 462-1244 or the Monmouth County Sex Crimes Unit at 1-800-533-7443.