Serial rapist arrested

Serial rapist arrested

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java

An alleged serial rapist who preyed on mainly teenaged boys has
been arrested by Cirebon Police, the second such arrest in the
regency within as many weeks.

The former convict, who cannot be named to protect the
identity of his victims, allegedly raped or sexually assaulted 11
teenagers aged between 15 and 18 at Suranenggala Kidul village,
Kapetakan district, over the last two years.

The 31-year-old suspect was arrested by police at his house in
the neighboring village of Suranenggala Lor without struggle on
Wednesday.

"Most of the victims are junior high school students," Cirebon
Police chief detective First Insp. Wahyu Wim Hardjanto said on
Thursday.

Wahyu said that based on reports from the victims' parents,
the suspect had been offending for at least two years.

One of the victims said the suspect had been assaulting him
and his younger brother regularly for several months. They were
forced to drink alcohol before they were abused, he said.

The teenager said he was afraid to tell his parents as the man
had repeatedly threatened to kill him and his brother.

Police said the man was a notorious burglar and had been
jailed 11 times for his crimes.

If convicted, the suspect faces 15 years in prison and or a
maximum fine of Rp 300 million (US$36,586).

On June 2, Cirebon Police arrested a 16-year-old boy for the
alleged rape and sexual assault of 13 elementary school students.
Two of the victims were girls.