BLOOMSBURY BOROUGH, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — A Florida man has been charged in connection with a kidnapping that began in Ohio and ended in Hunterdon County, authorities said.
Asad Hasanov, 31, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was arrested and charged following the incident, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson.
Authorities said Hasanov met the victim online and arranged to meet in Akron, Ohio, on March 4. Investigators allege he restrained the victim with tape and transported the victim across multiple states, during which he repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim.
The incident came to an end March 5 at a truck stop in Bloomsbury, where Hasanov allowed the victim to use the restroom. The victim then alerted staff at the information desk and reported the kidnapping.
New Jersey State Police responded and transported the victim to Hunterdon Medical Center for evaluation. Troopers later located Hasanov in his vehicle in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County, and took him into custody without incident.
Hasanov has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal restraint and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.
Prosecutors filed a motion to detain Hasanov pending trial, but the request was denied March 20. He was released under pretrial monitoring and is scheduled to appear for a pre-indictment conference April 13 before Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129 or submit tips anonymously through Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010.
