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Otago Daily Times
October 20, 2003
US tourist abducted and
raped
By Lea Stewart
An American
tourist was brutally raped and held captive for more than 30 minutes after
being abducted from a Dunedin
wharf, police said yesterday.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Scott, of Dunedin,
said the 31-year-old woman was taking in the views from Fryatt St,
opposite the Wharf Hotel, about 8.30pm
on Friday when a vehicle pulled in behind her.
"The male driver (and sole occupant) of the vehicle then grabbed the
woman and forced her screaming into the car.
"The woman was blindfolded and the vehicle drove off," he said.
The woman was unable to tell police where she was taken, but estimated the
car came to a stop on a gravel road after 10 to 15 minutes.
The woman was then raped in the vehicle and held captive for between 30
minutes and an hour.
Still blindfolded, the woman was returned to the wharf and released, between 9.30pm and 10pm.
She drove herself to the Dunedin Central Police Station.
The victim's arms were bruised from being physically restrained during the
rape, Det Sgt Scott said.
"This is almost the worst crime you can do," Det
Sgt Scott, said.
"If a woman can't walk along the street without something as terrible as
this happening, then it's a real concern.
"She's coping extremely well considering what she has gone through. She
does have support in Dunedin."
Det Sgt Scott said police were treating the
incident very seriously and appealed for help.
"There were people going into the hotel as she was being dragged into
the car. She did scream but stopped after being threatened by the man."
The offender is described as about 30 years old with a dark complexion, of
solid build and about 175cm tall. He was wearing a dark bandana on his head,
a dark sweatshirt and blue jeans.
He was driving a large dark-coloured square-shaped
utility vehicle.
Anyone who saw the vehicle or can help police with their inquiries,
should call Dunedin Central Police on 471-4800.
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