44-Year-Old Owner Of 3 Trenton Restaurants Charged With Multiple Sexual Assaults

Thursday, June 20, 2024, 2:00 P.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

TRENTON, NJ.- Yesterday, a 44-year-old Ewing, New Jersey man and alleged serial rapist who owns and operates three Trenton, New Jersey restaurants lounges was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with a string of sexual assaults.

     According to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, Gerald Araya, 44, of Ewing, New Jersey was arrested late yesterday afternoon in Trenton and formally charged with five counts of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; one count of first-degree Sexual Assault; two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault; one count of first-degree Kidnapping; two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact; and one count of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

     Araya was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Mercer County Correctional Center pending future court proceedings in Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton, New Jersey. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a pretrial detention motion to have Araya detained pending the resolution of the charges filed against him.

     The charges stem from an investigation that began last month when a young woman contacted members of the Trento Police Department to report that she had been sexually assaulted. A joint investigation was launched by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Trenton Police Department. 

     At the commencement of the investigation, the young woman informed Detectives that she met Araya during a job interview at Dubai Restaurant & Lounge. Araya wanted the victim to see his other establishments in Trenton so they left the Dubai Restaurant & Lounge. 

     Araya and the victim arrived at another bar in the City of Trenton, where Araya began making the victim drinks, insisting she try them so she would know what she was serving to customers. The victim reported feeling ill and telling Araya she wanted to go home. The next memory the victim had was waking up in a room naked and being sexually assaulted by Araya. Detectives were able to determine that the assault took place at a motel in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, while the victim was physically helpless.

     During the course of a sensitive and thorough investigation, Detectives were able to identify three more victims who had worked for Araya in the past.

     On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in the afternoon hours, court-authorized search warrants were simultaneously executed at Araya’s home in Ewing Township, New Jersey, along with the three establishments he owns and operates in Trenton, New Jersey: El Catador Lounge Restaurant on New York Avenue, Dubai Restaurant & Lounge on New York Avenue, and Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge on South Broad Street. Araya was taken into custody without incident outside the Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge.

     “This investigation was truly a cooperative effort and a perfect example of how successful law enforcement can be when we work together,” said Prosecutor Onofri. “From the lead detectives who operated with unwavering commitment on this case from the beginning to the four brave women who came forward to share their stories and work with investigators to ensure this predator was taken off the streets. No one can do it alone. We will continue to work with our partners and our communities to make Mercer County safe.

     Prosecutor Onofri would like to thank the following local, county, and federal agencies for their investigative support and assistance with yesterday’s search warrant executions: Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office; Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit; Mercer County Tactical Response Team; Ewing Police Department; Lawrence Township Police Department; Trenton Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations.

     The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the conduct of Mr. Araya is urged to contact the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at (609) 989-6568 or mcposvu@mercercounty.org.

“The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”