Prosecutors: Yonkers man used dating apps to lure women to U.S. and rape them
Once they were in his White Plains apartment, prosecutors say he sexually assaulted and emotionally manipulated them.
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A Yonkers man has been indicted after prosecutors say he repeatedly raped and abused two women he met through dating apps and persuaded to travel from Europe to the United States.
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said that 33-year-old Pablo Alexander De La Cruz bought plane tickets for two women and convinced them to come to the U.S. between March and June under the guise of pursuing romantic relationships.
Once they were in his White Plains apartment, prosecutors say he sexually assaulted and emotionally manipulated them.
They allege the first woman was assaulted shortly after arriving in March and endured abuse for nearly two months. Investigators also believe she may have been secretly recorded. After De La Cruz allegedly refused to help her recover a lost passport, prosecutors say she escaped the apartment and reported the abuse to police.
A second woman traveled to the U.S. in June and was also allegedly raped. Prosecutors say that after she resisted his advances, De La Cruz forced her out of the apartment, leaving her homeless.
She later went to police and sought medical treatment.
"Luckily for us in our investigation, the suspect here used his full name and his real name. So, we were able to identify him pretty easily," said Detective Sgt. Chris Johnson.
"It stemmed from these apps on their phones, on these social media platforms, which all women, children, teenagers, anyone just has to be very, very careful because you don't know who you're talking to," Detective Martha Tineo.
De La Cruz was arrested Monday and faces multiple charges, including rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching, unlawful imprisonment, unlawful surveillance and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.
"He's a predator. He's hunting these women and by taking him off the streets, not just the city, but this county became a lot safer," said White Plains Commissioner Wade Hardy.
He has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed on bail. He is due back in court on Nov. 17.
