New Jersey police have arrested a restaurant owner who allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted four women — three former employees, as well as a woman who was seeking a job at one of his businesses.
Gerald Araya, 44, of Ewing Township, was arrested Wednesday outside the Mill Hill Restaurant, reported ABC News Philadelphia.
He reportedly owns three restaurants in Trenton, including El Catador Lounge, Dubai Restaurant & Lounge and Mill Hill.
An investigation was first launched in May, when a woman reported to Trenton police that she had been sexually assaulted by Araya.
She told investigators that she met Araya during a job interview at the Dubai Restaurant & Lounge. According to her account, Araya proposed showing her his other establishments, and they subsequently left to visit another location.
When they arrived, Araya allegedly began making drinks for the woman, insisting she try them to familiarize herself with his products.
The woman reported feeling ill and expressed a desire to go home, but says she then lost consciousness. When she awoke, she found herself naked in a motel room in Lawrence Township, where she was being sexually assaulted by Araya.
Authorities investigating the case uncovered three additional victims, all of whom had previously worked for Araya and reported being sexually assaulted by him.
Araya now faces multiple charges, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, and endangering the welfare of a child. The local prosecutor’s office has also filed a motion to keep Araya in jail pending trail.
