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.