Rotterdam police catch scooter rider linked to multiple sexual assaults of girls & women
An 18-year-old man from Ridderkerk has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting several women and children in Rotterdam and Ridderkerk while riding a scooter. Police formally suspect the Ridderkerk man of harassing women in his hometown since the end of October. The victims were between 11 and 24 years old.
“Last summer, women were also targeted by a man on a scooter who harassed them in the same area. Police believe this may be the same suspect,” Rotterdam authorities said in a statement.
A total of 15 victims have spoken to police regarding the assaults since July. A witness in Ridderkerk helped the police with a description of the suspect, which eventually helped police to identify and arrest the suspect.
The incidents occurred in the Rotterdam district of IJsselmonde in July and September. Five women and children filed reports that the man had sexually assaulted them on the Zevenbergsedijkje and the Cornelis van Beverenbrug. This was followed by another five reports of women being sexually assaulted near the Verbindingsweg in Ridderkerk.
Police had called for help from witnesses to the crimes in August, but that did not lead to an arrest at the time. The crimes sparked discussions about improving women’s safety in Rotterdam, prompting the municipality to install more security cameras and increase lighting in several areas.
The Ridderkerk man could face an initial hearing as early as Thursday. Typically, police can hold a suspect in custody for up to three days before presenting evidence to an examining magistrate.
During that procedure, the suspect can be remanded in jail for up to 14 more days while the investigation continues. At the formal arraignment, a district court can order the suspect to remain in jail until the trial date.
