Former cable TV technician accused of sex crimes in 2 New Jersey homes

TOWACO, N.J. (WABC) -- A former cable television service technician in New Jersey has been arrested on sex charges stemming from incidents in two Bergen County homes.

He had the right uniform and credentials, but police say this cable guys had the wrong intentions, sexually preying upon women inside their homes and police say this isn't the first time.

He's now behind bars and women Eyewitness News talked to are both relieved and taking extra precautions.

"That makes you feel like you can't have anybody in your house, like you can't even allow the person that's supposed to fix your TV," one resident said.

A professional house call by the cable man suddenly turned into a terrifying episode for two women in North Jersey when police say 31-year-old Jonathan Malave sexually forced himself on them.

"It's very alarming to hear that someone with credentials could get into your home for a valid reason, he's checking your cable and then to find out you've let someone in who really shouldn't be in your home," another woman said.

Perhaps what's even more alarming is police records show this isn't the first time Malave has been accused of sexual assault.

In fact, in 2012 while working as a cable repair subcontractor for Cablevision, Malave allegedly made unwanted sexual advances toward a 32-year-old Stony Point woman.

He later managed to get hired by Time Warner as a service technician where investigators say he used his job again to prey upon a 60-year-old woman inside her Ridgefield Park home.

Police say that incident was followed by another assault involving a 71-year-old woman in Fairview.

The second victim notified Fairview Police who launched a joint investigation with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

Malave was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual assault and criminal sexual contact.

"I'm glad he was caught them because I'm in my 60s," one woman said.

"Very, very alarming, very alarming, because you never know they do all kinds of stuff," another woman said.

Time Warner Cable released a statement saying, "We're working with local law enforcement as they investigate these allegations. Mr. Malave is no longer a Time Warner Cable employee."

Time Warner says Malave has not been an employee since early September and their company does conduct pre-hire background checks on employees.

Bail for Malave was set at $250,000 with no ten percent option and no contact with the victims as a condition of bail. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.