NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A New Jersey restaurateur is facing multiple charges after officials say he sexually assaulted a job applicant last month.
Police say in May, 44-year-old Gerald Araya, of Ewing, New Jersey, took a young woman who had just interviewed for a job at one of his restaurants, Dubai Dubai Restaurant & Lounge in Trenton, to see his other establishments.
At the next restaurant, officials say Araya began making the woman drinks and insisting she try them so she knew what she was serving patrons. She said she started feeling ill and told Araya she wanted to go home.
The next memory she had was of waking up in a motel room, naked, and being sexually assaulted by Araya.
After the woman reported the incident, police were able to identify at least three other victims — all former employees.
Araya was arrested Wednesday. Police searched his home in Ewing and his three restaurants in Trenton: El Catador Lounge Restaurant, Dubai, and Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge.
Araya is charged with five counts of aggravated sexual assault and several other offenses including kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.