A Yonkers man has been indicted on multiple felony charges after Westchester County prosecutors say he lured two women from Europe through dating apps, brought them to the United States and sexually assaulted them at an apartment in White Plains.
Prosecutors describe pattern of deception and alleged violence
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced the indictment against 33-year-old Pablo Alexander De La Cruz, who was arrested Monday and is jailed on bail. He has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on Nov. 17.
According to the indictment and statements from investigators, De La Cruz purchased plane tickets for two different women between March and June after cultivating relationships on mobile dating platforms. Prosecutors say both women traveled from Europe to the United States under the pretense of pursuing romantic relationships.
Once the women arrived, prosecutors say, they were held at an apartment in White Plains, where they were sexually assaulted and subjected to emotional manipulation. Investigators allege the first woman was assaulted soon after arriving in March and endured abuse for roughly two months. Authorities also say there is reason to believe she may have been secretly recorded.
Prosecutors say that when the first victim lost her passport, De La Cruz refused to assist her. She ultimately escaped the apartment and reported the alleged abuse to police.
The second woman, who arrived in June, also reported being raped, prosecutors say. After resisting his advances, she was allegedly forced out of the apartment and left homeless; she later sought medical attention and reported the incident to law enforcement.
- Victims: Two women who traveled from Europe
- Location of alleged assaults: Apartment in White Plains
- Timeframe: March through June
Charges and law-enforcement response
De La Cruz faces an array of charges including rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching, unlawful imprisonment, unlawful surveillance and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Prosecutors say identification was aided by the fact the suspect used his real name on the apps.
"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,"
Detective Sgt. Chris Johnson made that statement as investigators described how the case came together. Detective Martha Tineo emphasized the risks of interacting with people on social media and dating applications, urging vigilance across all age groups.
"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,"
White Plains police officials framed the arrest as a public-safety win. "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," White Plains Commissioner Wade Hardy said, according to the prosecutor's office.
| Key detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Pablo Alexander De La Cruz, 33 |
| Arrest | Arrested Monday; jailed on bail |
| Next court date | Nov. 17 |
| Alleged timeframe of incidents | March – June |
Local implications
The case highlights growing concerns about safety when meeting people through dating apps — a theme prosecutors and detectives underscored while discussing the investigation. Local residents who use such platforms may find the details unsettling, particularly those who travel to meet online matches or host visitors from overseas.
Police encourage anyone who believes they have been victimized or who has information about similar incidents to contact law-enforcement authorities. News outlets reached out to De La Cruz's attorney but did not receive a response as of Thursday night.
The indictment and upcoming court proceedings will determine whether prosecutors can prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. In the meantime, the filing and arrest mark a significant development in what prosecutors described as a sustained pattern of alleged predatory behavior affecting women who came to the United States seeking relationships.
