A 39-year-old man was arrested by the Judicial Police (PJ) in Arrifana, Santa Maria da Feira, for the alleged crimes of aggravated rape and home invasion, which took place during the night and early morning of October 16 to 17. The victim is the suspect’s ex-partner and mother of his children.
A police statement indicated that the suspect contacted the ex-partner “ostensibly to deliver a parcel of sweets for the children at home, which was merely a ploy to lure the victim outside and allow stealthy entry into the residence.”
When the woman “went to bed,” she was “surprised by the suspect, who had hidden in the bedroom, subsequently using coercion and physical violence to force her into sexual acts.”
“After some time attempting to prevent the aggressor from escalating violence against her and potentially against the children, the victim managed to seek help from a neighbor who alerted the National Republican Guard (GNR), who arrived at the scene, putting an end to the situation,” the statement reads.
The facts were reported to the PJ, which immediately undertook evidence-collection efforts “leading to strong indications of the man’s involvement in the crimes,” ultimately resulting in his arrest due to the “need to ensure the safety of the victim and her family, given the history of domestic violence cases” against the suspect.
The detainee, “with a criminal record for offenses against individuals and property, for which he served prison time,” has already appeared for a preliminary judicial hearing and is subject to the measure of restraint prohibiting contact with the victim and must report to the local police authority three times a week.
