Restaurant owner from Trenton allegedly sexually harassed several women

A man who owns several Trenton restaurants was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexually abusing four women, according to the Mercer County District Attorney’s Office.

Authorities said Gerald Araya, 44, of Ewing, was arrested Wednesday after a woman said she was assaulted by him during an interview for a job at one of his restaurants, Dubai Restaurant & Lounge.

Prosecutors say the woman told investigators Araya made her several drinks before she felt sick and decided to go home. The victim said she felt sick and told Araya she wanted to go home. The next thing she remembers is waking up in a Lawrence Township motel room while allegedly being sexually assaulted by Araya, prosecutors say.

On Wednesday, search warrants were executed at Araya’s Ewing Township residence and at three establishments he owns and operates in Trenton: the El Catador Lounge Restaurant on New York Avenue, the Dubai Restaurant & Lounge on New York Avenue and the Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge on South Broad Street. He was arrested outside his Mill Hill Restaurant & Lounge.

According to authorities, the investigation identified three other 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 crimes.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the District Attorney’s Office SVU at 609-989-6568 or [email protected].