Victim Escapes Abductor At NJ Truck Stop After Repeated Sexual Assaults, Prosecutor Says

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A kidnapped victim, who was bound and sexually assaulted across multiple states, was able to escape at a Hunterdon County truck stop, said Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson on Friday.

Asad Hasanov, 31, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was arrested in Hillsborough for and charged with a kidnapping that began in Akron, Ohio, said Robeson.

On March 4, Hasanov met the victim in Ohio after the two connected online. The victim's gender or age was not disclosed.

Hasanov restrained the victim with tape and drove across multiple states, during which he repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, said Robeson.

On March 5, at the TA Truck Stop in Bloomsbury, Hasanov let the victim use the restroom, said Roberson.

The victim went to the information desk and reported the kidnapping.

New Jersey State Police took the victim to Hunterdon Medical Center for an evaluation.

State Police later found Hasanov inside his vehicle in Hillsborough and took him into custody without incident.

Hasanov was charged with first-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal restraint, and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion to detain Hasanov pending trial, which was denied Friday.

Hasanov was released onto pretrial monitoring and ordered to appear for a pre-indictment conference on April 13 before Judge Christopher J. Garrenger.

Hasanov faces a term of imprisonment between 10 and 20 years and a fine not to exceed $200,000.00 on the first-degree charges.

This matter remains under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129.

Information can also be provided through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010. All anonymous reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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