NJ Police Arrest Man in Motel Sex Attacks

New Jersey authorities say they've caught the sexual predator who for the past six weeks preyed on couples checking into motels in Elizabeth and Linden.

Union County prosecutors say they have charged an Elizabeth man in the crime spree. They allege 36-year-old Rasheed Powell targeted the motel guests on weekend nights. They say he forced his way into their rooms at gunpoint, ordered the couples to engage in sex and then sexually assaulted the female victim.

Prosecutors are aware of at least six such attacks at four different motels.

Powell is being held on $3 million bail after his arrest Monday on charges including 10 counts of aggravated sexual assault and 12 counts of robbery. He was assigned a public defender but the office had no information Thursday on the case.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)