Suspect in custody
Photo: Ofer Amram
23-year old suspected of raping 5 children
Police say suspect's DNA matches that found on kids who were grabbed from entrance to homes, threatened, and sexually abused
Police arrested Tuesday a 23-year old man from Petah Tikvah who is suspected of sexually abusing at least five children between the ages of 8-11.
He was arrested following a successful matching of DNA. During questioning he told the interrogating officers that "if I did it, I must be sick".
During recent weeks Petah Tikvah Police received five complaints from children who claimed to have been sexually assaulted. All of the children described a man who waited for them in the dark at the entrance to their homes, grabbed them, threatened them, and then sexually abused them.
Police gathered descriptions of the attacker as well as DNA samples, but no matches were found in the police database. Officers launched an investigation and the man, who has no police record, was arrested and his DNA found matching to that found on the victims.
The suspect allegedly threatened the children's families and told them his actions were retaliation for what their fathers did to him when he was young, a claim that the investigation has revealed as false.
The young man has not confessed to the allegations but told officers, "I was high. I don't remember. If I did such things it means I'm sick and if I'm sick I need treatment."
Police are currently checking whether the suspect has been involved in any similar cases. He is scheduled to be brought before a court later for the remand of his arrest.
