Suspect arrested in vicious Highland Park sex assault

HIGHLAND PARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Authorities say a New Jersey man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman after forcing her into an apartment building at gunpoint while she was walking with a child.

Police arrested 23-year-old Brandon Cox, charging him with 16 criminal counts, including kidnapping and attempted murder.

Police say he attacked the victim while she was walking with a child on Harper Street in Highland Park Feb. 19th.

He is accused of dragging her into the basement of a building, sexually assaulting her, and repeatedly punching her before running away.

The child was not hurt.

Authorities were alerted to the attack when a resident of Harper Avenue called police after the victim ran to the neighbor's home following the attack.