Two girls chased by possible serial sex offender in Rotterdam; Eight victims in total
Police in Rotterdam have received two new reports of sexual assaults in IJsselmonde, each involving a minor girl who says she was chased by a man on a scooter, police report. The latest reports bring the total number of female victims to eight, at least three of whom are underage. However, it remains unclear whether all the incidents were committed by the same suspect.
The investigation began after a series of assaults near the Zevenbergsedijk and the Cornelis van Beverenbrug. The first report was filed on July 7. Three victims have formally reported the assaults, and most described a man riding a scooter. Girls as young as 11 have previously been targeted in the area.
A 42-year-old man was recently arrested in connection with the assaults but was released after questioning, as his description did not match that of the suspect.
On Thursday evening, a 19-year-old woman was chased on Zevenbergsedijk by a man on a scooter. He pushed her off her bicycle and tried to pull down her pants. She escaped and alerted police.
The suspect is described as a man in his 20s with a light brown complexion and a gap between his teeth. He was riding a dark-colored scooter and wore a dark helmet.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have been assaulted in the area or who has relevant camera footage to contact them to help identify the suspect.
