By: Richard L. Smith
An East Orange man has been arrested and charged in connection with two separate incidents involving sexual assault and robbery at motels in Elizabeth, according to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel.
Jameel Alston, 27, faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of first-degree robbery, and several other charges related to weapons and burglary.
The charges stem from referrals made to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit by the Elizabeth Police Department.
The first incident occurred on August 28, 2024, at the Motel 6, where a woman reported being sexually assaulted and robbed by an armed individual.
Shortly after, a second woman was robbed at the Ritz Motel under similar circumstances. Authorities noted that during both incidents, Alston was allegedly driving a white 2021 Hyundai Kona.
Alston was arrested on September 9 in Irvington with the assistance of U.S. Marshals and the Union County Sheriff’s Department.
He is currently being held at the Essex County Jail and is scheduled for his first court appearance on September 13, 2024.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Union County Special Victims Unit Detective Jorge Rios at (908) 403-0044 or Elizabeth Police Detective Gino Quelopana at (908) 578-8239.