‘Identified easy prey’: 51-year-old suspected of posing as a masseur and raping young woman on the spectrum in Bat Yam
A 51-year-old Bat Yam resident was arrested on suspicion of raping an 18-year-old woman diagnosed on the autism spectrum, after posing as a masseur and luring her to an hourly hotel. The incident occurred last Thursday. Police will request an extension of his remand.
A 51-year-old Bat Yam resident was arrested on suspicion of rape and sodomy of an 18-year-old woman diagnosed on the autism spectrum. According to the suspicion, he met her when she was alone at an Aroma café in Bat Yam, identified himself with a false name, presented himself as a masseur, and offered her a massage. He led her to an hourly hotel, where he committed sexual offenses against her while using violence. The young woman's brother, who was searching for her, called her, and in a recorded call she sounded frightened. The brother confronted the suspect, who replied, "What do you want? She's a normal girl." The suspect left the scene. The young woman sent her location via Waze, and police forces located her and led her to file a complaint. Security cameras at the café and the complainant's activity helped locate the suspect, who was arrested in an open area. This morning he was brought to court for a hearing on extending his remand. Attorney Gabi Lieberman, representing the complainant, stated that this is exploitation of a cognitive condition of a victim who cannot give free consent, and called on the police and prosecution to exhaust the law with the suspect.