A Paterson man was arrested early Monday after police say he assaulted a woman and forced her into a vehicle, with the woman managing to escape once the car was parked. On Sunday, police received a report that a woman had been abducted and were called to the area of Sherwood and Chamberlain avenues in Paterson.
According to NJ.com, the woman told officers she had been assaulted and then forced into the vehicle before breaking free once the suspect parked. The man now faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, making terroristic threats, and contempt of a court order, the outlet reported, citing authorities.
Why Police Withheld the Suspect's Name
Police withheld the suspect's name, describing the incident as a domestic violence matter, per the same report. A police spokesman said the decision not to release the man's identity was made in accordance with domestic violence confidentiality considerations, NJ.com's report noted.
N.J.S.A. 2C:25-26 requires the victim's location to remain confidential and not appear on documents or records to which the defendant has access, according to Villani & DeLuca, P.C. The statute's confidentiality rule applies to the victim's location in documents or records accessible to the defendant.
What the Charges Carry Under New Jersey Law
The terroristic threats charge is generally classified as a third-degree crime in New Jersey, carrying a potential sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, per Justia Law. The contempt charge stems from N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9, which makes violating a domestic violence protective order a fourth-degree crime when the underlying conduct also constitutes a crime or disorderly persons offense, exposing a defendant to up to 18 months in prison, Justia Law notes.
Aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, and contempt of court orders are all listed among the 19 statutory predicate acts recognized under New Jersey's Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, according to the same legal source. Under New Jersey domestic violence protocol, officers are required to make an arrest when probable cause exists to believe a contempt violation has occurred, per Union County NJ Criminal Lawyer.
Domestic Violence in Passaic County
The case is among domestic violence calls handled by Paterson police. County-level data released by Passaic County officials in October 2025 showed domestic violence incidents made up 38% of all reported crimes countywide, based on New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report figures.
Passaic County Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, located on 23rd Street in Paterson, serves as the state-designated core service provider in the county, offering emergency sheltering, a 24-hour hotline, and court accompaniment for domestic abuse victims.
The case is one of several recent violent-crime incidents Paterson police have responded to this month, including a shooting near Elm and Mill Streets. As with any arrest, the charges against the man remain allegations.
