An alleged rapist, who lured his victims through posts on Facebook, had been apprehended by the metro police in a sting in which one of his victims played a major role.
The 35-year-old suspect was nabbed in Primrose and detained at Ivory Park Police Station on a charge of rape on Tuesday.
Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, spokesperson for the EMPD, described the man’s modus operandi.
“The man posted photos of his size-enhanced private parts with implanted beads to lure women to meet him for drinks at an agreed upon location. He normally would choose a tavern where drinks would be enjoyed and engage victims in charming conversation to lull them into a false sense of security.
“The victim is then intimidated and taken to where the rape would take place.”
It is alleged that on April 1, the perpetrator had arranged with the 35-year-old victim to meet him at a tavern in Phomolong in Tembisa. Around 9pm, when the woman was tipsy, the man threatened her with a pair of scissors and forcefully took her to a house in Ebony Park where she was apparently raped repeatedly. The victim was allowed to go free in the morning.
Kgasago said metro police officers devised a plan to arrest the suspect. On Tuesday, the rape victim was used to lure the rapist by making contact with him via the Facebook platform and pretending to be a different person.
“A different sim card was used and the suspect agreed to meet with the woman around midday at a motel in Primrose. Armed with the description of the suspect, the clothes he was wearing and the booked room number, the metro police positioned themselves strategically,” Kgasago said.
The man was spotted around 1.30pm and was immediately arrested.
