Helsinki police suspect a taxi driver of drugging and sexually assaulting several women.
According to a police press release, the suspect is a man in his 40s who was driving a taxi in the capital area.
Police explained that the suspect was driving a car with a taxi sign on the roof and picking up unaccompanied women from taxi ranks. Later, according to the police account, during the trip he provided them with alcohol and possibly other drugs, while he pretended that he was taking them to the requested destination.
But some of those women did not get safely where they wanted to go. Instead, they were taken to an apartment on the outskirts of Helsinki, where the police believe they were raped.
The police do not want to give more specific information about the suspect, his nationality and the number of women attacked. The information provided by the authorities shows that there were at least two victims of sexual assaults.
The investigations are now focused on two specific cases, which occurred in April. However, investigators have asked for help in finding other possible victims who may not have reported similar events.
"Based on the facts uncovered during the preliminary investigation, the police have reason to believe that the suspect has committed similar sexual offenses against still unidentified persons," explained Detective Inspector Jutta Antikainen of the Helsinki Police Department.
Individuals who believe that they have been victims of similar crimes can contact the police at the telephone number 0295 471 612 (office hours) or by e-mail [email protected].
