Ex-Tokyo taxi driver suspected of drugging, raping dozen female passengers
Ex-Tokyo taxi driver suspected of drugging, raping dozen female passengers
TOKYO (TR) – A former taxi driver in custody over the alleged sexual assault of a female passenger has been accused in a second case. Based on evidence collected in the investigation, police believe he carried out the same crime with more than one dozen victims, reports TBS News (May 21).
In the latest case, police have accused Satoshi Tanaka, 54, of giving sleeping pills to a female passenger in her twenties who was riding in his taxi in July last year. He then took her to her home and sexually assaulted her.
Police did not reveal whether Tanaka admits to allegations of non-consensual sexual intercourse and violations of the Act on the Punishment of Filming Sexual Acts.
In October last year, police first arrested Tanaka for giving another female passenger, aged in her teens, a sleeping pill two months before and stealing her cash and other items. However, he was released pending further action.
The victim in the latest case was identified when a video of the attack was found on a smartphone belonging to Tanaka that was seized by police. An examination of the woman's hair gave a positive result for sleeping pill ingredients, police said.
Police believe the woman was already drunk when she boarded Tanaka's cab. He then used an unspecified means to slip her the sleeping pills. She was identified based on belongings in her home that were visible in the footage.
Videos and images that were found on the smartphone showed him committing lewd acts on over a dozen women who are believed to be his passengers. The crimes were carried out at his home and other places.
Tanaka was also arrested and indicted in December last year for committing lewd acts with a third woman.
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