A 21-year-old foreign woman was raped on October 11 in Marco de Canaveses after accepting a ride from a stranger.
The victim, who is in Portugal as a volunteer, accepted a ride from the suspect to a farm near the city where she works.
During the journey, the 67-year-old suspect began making sexual advances. Frightened, she rejected his proposals and demanded that he stop the vehicle to let her out, according to a statement from the Judicial Police.
The man did not stop and eventually left the main road, driving down deserted and unlit rural paths. The young woman managed to exit the vehicle, but the man caught up with her, subjected her to sexual acts through aggression.
Following the attack, the young woman was able to escape and hide in a nearby bush.
The victim reported the incident to the Public Security Police (PSP), and the case was forwarded to the Judicial Police, who identified and detained the man.
The detainee, who has a criminal record and has served a prison sentence, will appear today for a preliminary judicial hearing at the Criminal Investigation Court of Penafiel for the imposition of coercive measures.
