Ewing businessman arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting young women who worked at his lounges in Trenton

Ewig businessman Gerald Araya, who operates three restaurants and bars in Trenton, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting women at his restaurants, police said.

Last month, a young woman contacted the Trenton Police Department to report that she had been sexually assaulted. She told detectives she met Araya during a job interview at one of his Trenton businesses, the Dubai Restaurant & Lounge. Araya told her he wanted her to see his other establishments in Trenton. They left the Dubai and went to another bar he owns in Trenton, where he made the young woman drinks and insisted she try them so she knew what she would be serving patrons.  The young woman said she felt ill after having a drink and told Arayana she wanted to go home. Her next memory was waking up in a room naked and being sexually assaulted by Araya. He had allegedly taken the helpless, drugged-up young woman to a motel in Lawrence to sexually assault her.

A joint investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor Office’s Special Victims Unit, the Trenton Police Department, and the Lawrence Township Police identified three more sexual assault victims who had worked for Araya.

Araya, 44, owns the El Catador Bar and Grill on New York Avenue, the Dubai Restaurant and Lounge on New York Avenue, and the Mill Hill Restaurant and Lounge on South Broad Street.  On Wednesday afternoon, search warrants were executed at Araya’s residence in Ewing Township and his three Trenton lounges. Araya was taken into custody without incident outside of his Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge.

Araya was 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. 

The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Araya pending trial. First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.  Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.  Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three of five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.  Fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

“This investigation was truly a cooperative effort and a perfect example of how successful law enforcement can be when we work together,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo 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 of the streets.  No one can do it alone.  We will continue to work with our partners and our communities to make Mercer County safe.”  

Lawrence Police Chief Chris Longo said the investigation and arrest of Araya were the result of a strong partnership and collaboration between the Lawrence Township Police Department, the Trenton Police Department, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

“The arrest in this case underscores our collective dedication to bringing justice to victims of sexual assault,” Longo said.

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit at (609) 989-6568 or mcposvu@mercercounty.org.