Man Fought With Sex Worker At Secaucus Hotel, Cut Her, Police Say

SECAUCUS, NJ — A Jersey City man was arrested at the Aloft hotel in Secaucus Sunday night after police say he stabbed a sex worker multiple times in an argument over money.

At 8:42 p.m. Secaucus Police responded to a 911 call from the Aloft hotel at 460 Harmon Meadow Boulevard after a woman was heard calling for help.

Police officers located a woman in the lobby of the hotel bleeding from the hand.

She said she met a man at the hotel with the purpose of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money.

She said upon asking the man to leave the room he brandished a knife and demanded his money back. When she refused, he lunged at her.

During the struggle, the woman received a laceration to her finger and buttocks. He also tried to block her from leaving the room, but the woman was able to run into the hallway while yelling for help.

The woman was treated for injuries at the scene.

Police officers located Vineeth Ravuri, 26, of Jersey City in the lobby of the hotel with blood on his jacket and foot. He also was found in possession of a bloody knife used in the assault, said police.

“Prostitution is not a victimless crime,” Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. “Prostitutes are frequently victims themselves of physical and sexual assaults and robbery. Due to the sheer number of hotel rooms, Secaucus is appealing to those engaged in this illicit activity. However, the SPD will continue to conduct proactive operations in hopes of suppressing prostitution, which is often the root of other heinous crimes.”

Ravuri was charged with Armed Robbery [2C:15-1a(1)], Aggravated Assault [2C:12- 1b(1)], Criminal Restraint [2C:13-2], Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose [2C:39- 4(d)], Unlawful Possession of a Weapon [2C:39-5(d)] and Engaging in Prostitution [2C:34- 1b(1)].

He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.

Anyone with information pertaining to Vice Crimes within Secaucus are asked to contact the Secaucus Police Department. Tips can be made by calling (201) 330-2049, emailed to spdtips@secaucusnjpolice.gov or submitted anonymously through the department’s website at www.secaucuspolice.org.