Man Robbed Prostitutes At 3 Secaucus Motels, Police Charge

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus Police say this man, Kendall Smith, 32, of Jersey City, committed multiple robberies at Secaucus hotels in the past few weeks.

Police say he targeted women engaging in prostitution at Secaucus' hotels, and these robberies were random acts on patrons who choose to stay in the town's motels.

“Unlike popular opinion, prostitution is not a victimless crime, especially when they are victimized themselves,” said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller.

The first robbery was May 17: Seaucus Police responded to a 911 call made at 9:51 p.m. from La Quinta (350 Lighting Way). The suspects, including one identified as Smith, allegedly forced their way into the victims’ hotel room brandishing knives. After a struggle, the suspects fled the area with some of the victims’ money, personal belongings and documents.

Then at 12:23 a.m. May 31 Secaucus Police responded to a 911 call from the Red Roof Inn on Meadowlands Parkway. According to the victim, a man was in the hotel room with her when another man, later identified as Smith, and an accomplice forced their way into the motel room.

After assaulting the woman, the suspects stole some of her personal belongings and fled the area.

Several hours before the robbery on May 31, the Secaucus Police Department’s Planning and Intelligence Section began the first phase of installation of the license plate reader camera system around town. (Patch reported in January police planned to install the license plate readers; read that article: Secaucus Installing License-Plate Recognition Cameras Throughout Town)

Secaucus will be installing license-plate reading cameras at all the entrances/exits in town.

Even though they had just been installed, the cameras captured the suspects’ car after they fled the Red Roof Inn on May 31, said police. Police say it gave them a lead.

Then, at 5:39 p.m. this past Tuesday, June 4, Secaucus Police responded to a 911 call from Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, again for a report of a robbery. The victim reported that two individuals, one later identified as Smith, entered her hotel room and choked her. After threatening to kill her, the suspects stole some of her belongings and fled.

Once again the license plate readers captured the suspects’ vehicle after they fled the Red Roof Inn.

Secaucus Police located Smith's home in Jersey City, and he was arrested Wednesday of this week. A court-authorized search of his car led to the seizure of additional evidence linking him to these crimes, said police.

He was charged with four counts of Robbery [2C:15-1a(1)], two counts Aggravated Assault [2C:12-b(1)], Terroristic Threats [2C:12-3(b)], three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery[2C:5-2/2C:15-1a(1)], two counts of Engaging in Prositution [2C:34-1b(1)], Possession of Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose [2C:39-4(d)] and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon [2C:39-5(d)]. He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.

Secaucus Police Chief Miller praised the use of the license-plate reading cameras.

"The availability of the technology used in this case is a testament to the commitment of Mayor Gonnelli and his Town Council who are extremely supportive in providing the Secaucus Police Department with tools that can assist us in our common goal, the safety of Secaucus residents and visitors of the town," he said.

This investigation was done by the Secaucus Police detective division.