Morris Prosecutor Announces Arrest of Rockaway Man on Kidnap and Sexual Assault Charges

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Acting Chief/Officer in Command Martin McParland, Jr. of the Rockaway Township Police Department have announced the arrest of a Rockaway man for attempted kidnapping and sexual assault involving two separate victims.

Kyriakos Serghides, 34, of Rockaway Borough, has been charged with one count each of attempted kidnapping, luring, sexual assault, terroristic threats, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The alleged victims are two five year old males, who reported on two separate dates they were approached by the Serghides.

The first victim alleged that on Aug. 28, 2015, while using the restroom at the Rockaway Townsquare mall, the defendant made sexual contact with him. 

The second victim alleged that on Sept. 10, 2015, while at the Target in Rockaway Township, Serghides approached him and told him to go with him or that he would cut the child.

On Sept. 11, Superior Court Judge William J. McGovern set two (2) separate bails for the defendant, both at $200,000 with no ten percent cash option. Conditions of that bail included that the defendant have no contact with either alleged victims, and have no contact with any children under age18.

Anyone with information relating to these charges is urged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200.

Prosecutor Knapp said the following agencies participated in the investigation: The Rockaway Township Police Department, specifically Detective Thomas Takacs; Rockaway Borough Police Department; New Jersey State Police; Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section; Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit; Universal Protection; and Target Security.

Any inquiries can be directed to Morris County First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.