Suspect in The Hague rape arrested in Cologne, now in Dutch custody
A 36-year-old man was arrested last month in Cologne, Germany, in connection with a rape that took place in The Hague on January 30, the Public Prosecution Service reported. He was transferred to the Netherlands earlier this week and is now in pretrial detention.
The attack occurred shortly after 1 a.m. when the victim encountered the suspect on the street near Erasmusweg in The Hague. The assault happened in the entrance hall of a building on Erasmusweg. Despite an extensive police investigation, the suspect’s identity reportedly remained unknown for months.
On May 13, Dutch police publicly released surveillance footage of the suspect on the criminal investigation programs Team West and Opsporing Verzocht (Crime Watch). The broadcasts reportedly generated two tips that helped identify the man.
Following the television exposure, the suspect, who does not have a fixed address or residence in the Netherlands, allegedly fled the country. German authorities arrested him on May 15 at Cologne airport. On June 4, he was handed over to Dutch authorities.
The examining magistrate has extended the suspect’s pretrial detention by 14 days. The investigation continues.
