26-Year-Old Man Allegedly Assaults Woman in Parking Lot After Following Her 200 Meters

In the early hours before dawn, a man approached a woman on her way home.

 

“Let’s go for a drink.”

 

Even when the woman refused, he persisted, following her for about 200 meters. He then put his arm around her shoulder and forcefully led her to a nearby parking lot. Ignoring her cries of, “Please stop!” he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

On October 7, the Shimura Police Station in Tokyo arrested 26-year-old Hiroyuki Takahashi, a construction company employee living in Itabashi Ward, on suspicion of non-consensual intercourse. He is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s, identified as Ms. A, on a street in Itabashi Ward. According to police reports, Takahashi has reserved his right to speak and stated, “I want to decide whether to talk after consulting with my lawyer.”

“The incident he is accused of occurred in the early morning hours of June 21. It seems Ms. A fit Takahashi’s preferred type. He approached her as she was walking near her home, saying, ‘Let’s go for a drink,’ with the intention of picking her up, then followed her and led her to an outdoor parking lot, where he allegedly engaged in indecent acts such as touching her body.

Takahashi and Ms. A did not know each other. After Ms. A shouted for help, Takahashi fled the scene back to his home. She immediately ran to the nearest police box to report the incident, leading to the discovery of the case. Based on surveillance camera footage and other evidence, the arrest was made,” stated a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs division.

He was under the control of his impulses.

On October 8, a photographer from this magazine captured images of the suspect Takahashi being sent to the police. As he sat in the back seat of the transport vehicle, he displayed a chilling demeanor, glaring at the reporters.

There has been a surge in sexual offenses occurring on late-night streets. Below are some recent notable incidents.

・In July of last year, a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of forced indecency. He allegedly attempted to sexually assault a female college student around 1 AM on a street in Itabashi Ward in mid-June. The student noticed the man approaching from behind and ran away, but he caught up to her and touched her breasts. Over 100 images of unsuspecting women were found on the man’s confiscated smartphone. He reportedly stated during questioning, “I was driven by impulse.”

・In August of last year, a man in his 50s was arrested. After a collision between two bicycles in Nerima Ward, he and a teenage girl fell over. He confronted her, claiming, “The basket on my bike is broken.” He then took her to a nearby parking lot, saying, “If you pay with your body, I’ll let it go,” and proceeded to engage in indecent acts. The man admitted to the charges, saying, “There’s no mistake.”

What circumstances are contributing to the frequent occurrences of sexual offenses on late-night streets?

“The locations where suspects commit their crimes are often residential areas close to their homes. They are familiar with the area, making it easier to escape, and there are fewer people around at night. Women should avoid walking alone late at night whenever possible. If they feel uneasy, they should enter a convenience store that is open 24 hours. If suspicious individuals do not leave, they should consult with store staff and report to the police,” explained a source.

It is also noted that many suspects repeat their offenses, which is considered a characteristic of late-night sexual crimes.