Police have arrested a man in connection with the rapes of 17
women and 24 burglaries in east China's Shandong Province.
Cheng Yehua, 24, who was arrested on Friday, has been referred
for prosecution on charges relating to the crime spree that covered
three villages in Manshan Township, Wendeng City, from Aug. 13,
2006, to June 15 this year.
An officer surnamed Ma, in charge of publicity with Wendeng City
Security Bureau, said most of the victims were migrant workers with
local enterprises on Manshan Township, which is home to many
businesses that have received investment from the Republic of Korea
(ROK).
The victims said their attacker struck between 9:00 AM and 10:00
AM, carrying a knife and wearing a surgical mask, when the young
women were sleeping in rented homes after finishing night
shifts.
Local police started hunting for a single attacker from June 7.
On June 15, a woman was raped in broad daylight at her home and the
attacker stole 700 yuan.
From June 18, police intensified patrols in the three villages,
assigning 42 security personnel.
Cheng, who was married about six months ago and whose wife is
five month pregnant, was spotted and stopped by patrol police on
June 19. He was allegedly carrying a knife and white surgical mask
at the time.
During interrogation, Cheng allegedly said he could not control
himself after he successfully committed the first of the 24 crimes
last year.
(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2007)