AICHI (TR) – Police in Toyohashi City have arrested a 36-year-old American English teacher on suspicion of robbing and sexually assaulting a woman in a building elevator before punching her in the face, reports Nagoya TV (June 25).
Vihill Thomas Sundown is accused of robbery, non-consensual indecency, and assault resulting in injury.
According to police, the incident took place in April. Sundown allegedly groped a 46-year-old woman inside a building elevator and snatched her smartphone. He then punched the woman in her left cheek on a nearby street, inflicting facial injuries that required one week of medical treatment.
Upon his arrest, Sundown denied the allegations, telling investigators, “I have no memory of doing such a thing.”
Police confirmed that the suspect and the victim were not previously acquainted.
Sundown was already in police custody, having been previously arrested on suspicion of assaulting another individual who was with the woman at the time of the incident.
Investigators noted that the suspect had been drinking prior to the altercation. Police are continuing to investigate his motive and are looking into whether he has been involved in any other crimes.
