> 19yo arrested for rape after threatening victim on cell phone

13th November Police on Thursday arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly raping a high school student after first threatening her with a cell phone message. According to police, the suspect, who cannot be named because he is a minor, sent the girl a text message that said: “If you don’t want to die, do what I say.”

Police said the incident occurred on Oct 26. The accused reportedly stood behind the girl in an elevator in a Katsushika Ward apartment building and showed her the screen of his mobile phone displaying the threatening message. He then ordered her to his apartment where he allegedly raped her. There were other residents in the elevator and corridor at the time, but no one did anything because the girl was too frightened to call for help, police quoted her as saying.

The suspect has admitted to the charge. Police believe he may have assaulted other girls based on several reports of similar incidents in the area in October and November.