Trenton restaurant owner accused of sexually assaulting multiple women
Gerald Araya, of Ewing, is charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping and other offenses.
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A man who owns several restaurants in Trenton was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexually assaulting four women, according to Mercer County prosecutors.
Authorities say 44-year-old Gerald Araya, of Ewing, was arrested Wednesday after a woman interviewing for a job at one of his restaurants, Dubai Restaurant & Lounge, reported she was assaulted by him.
Prosecutors say the woman told investigators that Araya made her several drinks before she began to feel sick and decided to go home. The victim reported feeling ill and telling Araya she wanted to go home. The next thing she remembered is waking up in a motel room in Lawrence Township while allegedly being sexually assaulted by Araya, prosecutors say.
Search warrants were executed Wednesday at Araya's residence in Ewing Township, along with three establishments he owns and operates in Trenton: El Catador Lounge Restaurant on New York Avenue, Dubai Restaurant & Lounge on New York Avenue, and Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge on South Broad Street. He was arrested outside of his Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge.
Authorities say an investigation revealed three more victims who previously worked for Araya.
Araya is charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child and other offenses.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor’s SVU at 609-989-6568 or mcposvu@mercercounty.org.
