A 22-year-old man was arrested in Grenoble on Friday, April 5 in connection with the case of the “scooter rapist.” During a press conference on Monday, prosecutor Eric Vaillant announced that the man had admitted to committing one rape, for which he was identified through DNA evidence. The suspect, who lives in Fontaine, a suburb of Grenoble, was remanded in custody on Sunday after being charged with two counts of rape, attempted rape, attempted sexual assault, two aggravated assaults, and attempted aggravated extortion. Investigators were able to identify him through surveillance cameras that captured his customized scooter, and by interviewing his former employer. The suspect could face up to fifteen years in prison, or even twenty years if the rapes are deemed to be serial in nature.
The judicial investigation, opened on March 29, is focused on seven incidents. These include two rapes in Grenoble and Saint-Martin-d’Hères on March 11 and 16, an attempted rape in Grenoble on March 16, a sexual assault and armed violence in Grenoble on February 17, attempted extortion in Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux on February 8, and violence in Grenoble on the same day. Two other incidents initially thought to be related to the case were eventually ruled out by the prosecutor and investigators. However, a potential eighth case has emerged, with a woman reporting an assault on December 16-17, 2023 that she believes was perpetrated by the same man. The prosecutor expects more complaints to be filed, either connected to this case or not, and has assured that all will be taken seriously and investigated diligently.
The series of assaults created a sense of fear within the local community, with women avoiding going out alone at night, according to local media reports. The prosecutor praised the efforts of the numerous police officers involved in apprehending the suspect, emphasizing that their hard work paid off. Witness accounts described the assailant as acting alone, dressed in black and riding a black scooter. He would stalk his victims before attacking them. The release of his description led to multiple testimonies being collected by the police, all of which are being carefully investigated.
Overall, the prosecutor of Grenoble is expecting additional complaints to be filed in connection with this case, and reassures the public that all reports will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. The community has been shaken by these crimes, resulting in heightened awareness and vigilance among residents. The successful identification and apprehension of the suspect serve as a testament to the dedicated work of law enforcement agencies involved in solving this case. The investigation continues, as authorities seek to uncover any additional incidents that may be linked to the accused individual.
