A 36-year-old man suspected of aggravated attempted rape in Vilarinho, Santo Tirso, was arrested yesterday, announced the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) on Saturday.
The crime occurred on March 18, after the victim left work and took the train home.
She was unable to get off at her intended stop and was forced to exit at an unfamiliar location.
The PJ explained in a statement that the aggressor, who was traveling on the same train, disembarked at the same station and was approached by the victim, who asked for help to return to her destination.
The man agreed and offered to accompany the victim, “establishing a dialogue with the exchange of personal information” along the way. He then grabbed the woman and attempted to sexually assault her.
The victim managed to escape and reported the incident to the local police, “who facilitated her referral to the Polícia Judiciária.”
“After relentless investigations,” authorities stated, “it was possible to identify the suspect,” who was located on Friday and taken to PJ headquarters.
Despite having a criminal record for property crimes, for which he served a prison sentence, the detainee was presented today for his first judicial interrogation at the Matosinhos Criminal Investigation Court and is now subject to periodic reporting measures to the authorities and prohibited from contacting the victim.
