Italy: Manhunt for Serial Rapist

Hat tip Gates of Vienna

On Friday evening, in the northern Italian municipality of Legnago, near Verona, a woman who was jogging along a river bank was attacked and raped by a man in his 30s, whom she described as “Maghrebian” (North African). A similar attack against two other women happened in the same area the previous Friday by a similarly described man. 

The below article from Larena (Italy) is translated by Fousesquawk.

Woman attacked and raped on embankment of Adige

Fabio Tomelleri

15 June 2025

Caption: Carabinieri and local police on embankment of the Adige (river).

Attacked and raped while taking a walk with her dog on the embankment of the Adige. The terrible episode, which is being investigated by the Carabinieri of Legnago, occurred last Friday, shortly after 7 pm, along the right bank of the Adige on the stretch between the Principe Umberto Bridge and the Mantova- Monselice railway bridge. It is a zone often frequented during the good weather season, but not only then, by lovers on a walk and running in the open air, given the presence near the river of a nature trail operated by volunteers from “La Verbena”. 

The attack

Based on witness statements given to the (Carabinieri) who came to her aid, the woman, a resident of the area, was attacked in the middle of a field of reeds by an unknown person, apparently, a Maghrebian (North African). The violent act was interrupted by the barking of the 40-year-old’s dog, which attracted the attention of two passersby. In fact, their presence disturbed the rapist, who took off, leaving the victim semi-nude and in shock in the middle of the bushes. The two passersby immediately alerted medical personnel and the Carabinieri. The woman was then transported to Mater Salutis emergency care and then transferred to a hospital in Verona for treatment and examinations required for victims of sexual violence. The Carabinieri, therefore, have initiated a 360-degree investigation to track down the perpetrator of the violence, who, according to some witness statements, having carried out the serious crime, reportedly fled on foot in the direction of Principe Umberto Bridge.

Shock and alarm

In the meantime, the news has spread rapidly throughout the city. And yesterday, social media was flooded with messages from those asking for more clarification, and especially, wanting to alert so many people, especially women, who frequent that stretch of embankment to walk or to run. Called into question by an alarmed citizen on the web, Mayor Paolo Longhi, wrote in a post yesterday: “At this time, I am on the telephone with relatives of the victim, who I know well. You can imagine, therefore, my pain, in human terms  more than institutional and (my) firm condemnation of such a cowardly  and unacceptable act.” Longhi then stated: “Law enforcement is already operating with maximum determination to identify the perpetrator and deliver him to justice.” “As mayor,” the (mayor) continued, “I am personally following the matter and have requested an immediate reinforcement of control of the sensitive areas of the city. Beginning with the embankments of the river”. Finally, Longhi observed: Of course, law enforcement cannot be at every corner, but we are doing whatever is possible to offer them all the support of our administrative police.” 

Other incidents

The violent act committed Friday against the 40-year-old on the embankment is reportedly the latest in a series of similar attempts reported in the past days along the same shore of the river. “The previous Friday,” reports a young woman who reported to the Carabinieri an act of attempted violence against her committed in the embankment area north of Vigo. “Miraculously, I was able to get away from a Maghrebian citizen, apparently about 30 years old, who, half naked, grabbed me by the arm while I was running along the bicycle path.” “Fortunately,” the woman continues, “I managed to throw myself into the vegetation and got away with a few scratches, then called my mother to come in my car. And at the same time, something similar also happened to another woman”. For this (reason), the complainant assumes there is a connection between the brutal experience that happened to her and the violence that occurred Friday evening. 

Source: http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2025/06/italy-manhunt-for-serial-rapist.html