Police Arrest Man Who Raped Female Student Applying for Babysitting Job

Police Arrest Man Who Raped Female Student Applying for Babysitting Job

Police have arrested a man accused of holding a female student from North Kalimantan captive and raping her after she applied for a babysitting job advertised on social media in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

“Yes, the perpetrator has been arrested while in Surabaya,” said Makassar Police Chief, Kombes Pol Arya Perdana, on Sunday (17/5).

Arya explained that the case began when the victim applied for a job through social media. The victim then came to Makassar and was placed by the perpetrator in a house in Tamalate District.

“The victim then went to the location specified by the perpetrator and was told that the babysitting job could not start yet. While waiting, the victim was asked to work temporarily as a domestic helper in the house rented by the perpetrator for two days,” he said.

However, on the third day, Arya said, the perpetrator entered the victim’s room and threatened her with a cutter knife. The victim was then held captive with her mouth and eyes taped before being repeatedly raped.

“The victim managed to escape and immediately reported the incident to the police. In addition to committing sexual violence, the perpetrator was also found to have stolen money, a motorcycle, and the victim’s mobile phone,” he explained.

After the incident, the Makassar Police Criminal Investigation Unit immediately launched a pursuit. The perpetrator was detected in Surabaya after traveling by ship.

“We worked with the Surabaya Police and Tanjung Perak Port Police to carry out an arrest, and thank God the perpetrator was successfully arrested,” he said.

From the initial investigation, police said the perpetrator is suspected of having prepared a similar modus operandi in Surabaya. Even before arriving in the city, the perpetrator had re-posted fake job advertisements on Facebook to find new victims.

“The house used by the perpetrator in Makassar was not a long-term rental, but rather a daily rental that was deliberately used to trap the victim. The perpetrator is known to have rented the house for around Rp300 thousand per day,” he said.

Although the perpetrator claims this was his first time committing such an act in Makassar, police suspect there may be other victims. In addition to this case, the perpetrator is also said to have been involved in motorcycle theft in Takalar Regency.

“We are still investigating the possibility of other crimes that the perpetrator may have committed. For now, no indication of a network has been found; the perpetrator acted alone,” he concluded.