Homeless man from Hoeksche Waard arrested for two sexual assaults in Goudswaard
A 29-year-old homeless man from the Hoeksche Waard municipality was arrested late Sunday night, March 9, in Lelystad in connection with two sexual assaults in a Goudswaard home, police reported. The assaults occurred overnight between Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8. Authorities say the suspect forced his way into the victims’ residence.
The arrest followed a separate incident at an industrial area in Lelystad. Officers on the scene confirmed the man’s identity and learned he had been flagged in connection with the Goudswaard assaults. He was transferred to Rotterdam police, where the sex crimes unit is continuing the investigation.
Police and the Public Prosecution Service launched the Goudswaard investigation on Sunday, March 8. Investigators conducted forensic examinations, canvassed the neighborhood, and reviewed surveillance footage. A suspect alert was issued, which ultimately led to the arrest.
Initial reports identified the suspect as a resident of Spijkenisse. The municipality of Nissewaard later clarified that he is a homeless individual from Hoeksche Waard who stayed intermittently in a Spijkenisse shelter since June 2025. The arrangement was part of a social services program for people without permanent housing. He also had a mailing address in Spijkenisse, as the municipality serves as the central provider for regional social services covering Hoeksche Waard, Goeree-Overflakkee, and Voorne aan Zee.
Since January 1, 2026, the Spijkenisse shelter where the man sometimes stayed has been converted into a protected residence for adults with mental health or addiction challenges. A municipal spokesperson said it is likely the suspect will not return to the facility, regardless of the outcome of the sexual assault investigation.
