Arrested Friday April 5 in the case of “scooter rapist” in Grenoble, a 22-year-old man admitted “a single act of rape, for which he is confused by his DNA”announced prosecutor Eric Vaillant on Monday during a press conference.
The suspect, residing in Fontaine (Isère), on the outskirts of Grenoble, was placed in pre-trial detention on Sunday evening after being indicted for two rapes, an attempted rape, an attempted sexual assault, two aggravated acts of violence and one aggravated attempted extortion. Mr. Vaillant specified that the suspect was a young man “rather well inserted, with a surprising profile, which will justify the investigating judge ordering psychological and psychiatric assessments so that we can better understand his personality.”
“He is a boy who is perfectly integrated, he is 22 years old, has a girlfriend, he has always had a professional activity and a profile which does not correspond to the type of offense with which he is accused”assures for his part the young man’s lawyer, Me Arnaud Lévy-Soussan. His client “expressed his regrets” towards the victim of the rape that he admitted and “the explanation he is giving for the moment is linked to his alcohol consumption”said the lawyer.
He was identified by investigators, who spotted his customized scooter on video surveillance cameras and questioned his former boss, a source close to the case told Agence France-Presse (AFP). The suspect faces fifteen years in prison, or twenty years if the “serial character” rape is recognized, said Mr. Vaillant, emphasizing that “the investigation continues[vai]t”.
Local psychosis
A judicial investigation was opened on March 29 for seven facts. In detail, the investigation concerns two rapes committed in Grenoble and Saint-Martin-d’Hères on March 11 and 16, an attempted rape on March 16 in Grenoble, a sexual assault and violence with a weapon on February 17 in Grenoble, an extortion attempt on February 8 in Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux and, the same day, violence in Grenoble, detailed Eric Vaillant at the end of March.
Two other facts linked to these cases were ultimately dismissed by the prosecution and investigators. But, according to information from Dauphiné released, confirmed by the prosecutor, an eighth case could be added to the list: a young woman attacked during the night of December 16 to 17, 2023, who believes she was a victim of the same man, filed a complaint on Thursday. Referring to other recent testimonies published in the press, the Grenoble prosecutor said he expected that“at least two or three complaints” may reach the police services, in addition to the facts already accused. Whether these complaints are related to this file or not, “all will be treated with attention and diligence”he said.
This affair led to the onset of psychosis among the population, with women avoiding going out alone at night, according to local media. “The important and patient work of the numerous police officers mobilized in the search for the rapist has paid off”underlined the prosecutor on Saturday.
According to the testimonies collected, the attacker acted alone. Dressed in black, riding a black scooter, he spotted his victims and followed them before attacking them, the prosecutor explained at the end of March. “The broadcast of the rapist’s report allowed the police to collect several dozen testimonies, which are processed by investigators diligently”declared the prosecutor last week.