A Hoboken man was arrested for two criminal sexual contact incidents within just a half our of each other on Wednesday afternoon, police said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
David Pruitt, 40, of Hoboken, was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact related to two separate incidents yesterday, according to Police Det. Lt. Danilo Cabrera.
At about 12:12 p.m., Police Officer Liana Palladino responded to the 300 block of Washington Street on call alleging criminal sexual contact. Palladino met with the victim and her sister.
She reported that she left her residence to meet up with her sister for a jog. Just before starting her run, while in the area of 301 Washington St., an unknown man allegedly approached her and stood within inches of her.
When the victim returned with her sister from their jog, the man was still in the area and started to walk in the same direction as them. As the victim tried to open the door to her apartment building, the victim felt someone grabbing her buttocks and the same man was standing there, officials said.
He said nothing and walked away, heading northbound towards 4th Street. The victim and her sister went up to her apartment and called for the police. Sgt. Christopher LaBruno, along with Police Officers Jason Montalvo and Wilfredo Gomez arrived to assist with the investigation.
As the officers were investigating the incident, the victim saw and pointed out the man standing in the area of 301 Washington St. LaBruno, Montalvo, and Gomez approached the accused man and he was stopped as part of the investigation.
He was later identified as Pruitt. The investigation led to his arrest and he was charged on a warrant with criminal sexual contact, authorities said.
At about 12:44 p.m., Officer Anthony Fesken responded to the Hoboken University Medical Center on a another reported criminal sexual contact incident. Fesken met with the victim and her friend, both employees of the hospital. T
he victim reported that they were walking eastbound on 4th Street from Park Avenue when an unknown man began walking towards them. As they walked past each other, the man allegedly touched the victim’s buttocks. He said nothing and continued walking westbound.
The victim and her friend returned to the hospital and notified security, discovering that the man entered the emergency room after the incident. He was observed using the restroom and water fountain before leaving, police said.
LaBruno responded to assist with the investigation, which led to identifying the man as Pruitt. He was charged with criminal sexual contact for a second time, which occurred within minutes of the first reported incident.
Just like the time before, his charge was placed on a warrant and Pruitt was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility after being processed, authorities said.
