SAITAMA — Saitama Prefectural Police have arrested two men for allegedly teaming up to stalk and sexually assault a female commuter across multiple train lines and into a bicycle parking lot, reports Nippon News Network (July 2).
On June 1, company employee Koji Shibata, in his 50s, and unemployed Kazuhiro Onodera, in his 30s, are accused of sexually assaulting the woman, aged in her 40s..
Police have not disclosed whether Shibata and Onodera have admitted to the charges as they continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the attack.
The ordeal began while the victim was riding the JR Saikyo Line on her way home. Police allege the two suspects, who had no prior acquaintance with the woman, first molested her aboard that train.
When the victim transferred to the JR Utsunomiya Line, the men relentlessly tailed her. They are accused of assaulting her on the moving train and then following her after she disembarked, attacking her again at a bicycle parking lot in Hasuda City.
The relationship between the two suspects remains unknown.
After receiving a report of the crime, police examined security camera footage from trains and stations and determined that the two individuals appeared to be involved in the incident.
