Man arrested in 30-year-old sexual assault case (video)

Man arrested in 30-year-old sexual assault case
An St.Albert man who allegedly fled to Holland to avoid sexual assault charges is in local police custody. Anton Paul Rapati, 85,is facing numerous sex-related charges stemming from alleged incidents in the 1970s, police say.

Investigators say a number of victims have since come forward, alleging Rapati victimized them in some way. All victims were between the ages of seven and 15 at the time of the alleged crime.

In many of the cases, police say Rapati would gain the confidence of the victim's parentsby integrating himself into the family. All the alleged acts took place between 1971 and 1978.
Fred Rapati, the brother of the accused, said Anton was at his home in St. Albert on Monday when police arrested his brother.

He said the arrest comes as a surprise because he hasn't heard from his brother in 15 years.
"How did they know he was here, I don't know," he said. "We don't know nothing."
Police say Rapati returned to Canada after fleeing to the Netherlands in 1993.

RCMP Const. Greg Hawkins said it is unusual to have an arrest so many years after the crime.
"It's quite rare, considering the time frame involved," he said. "We're talking about 30 years and then having the accused leave the country for 15 years and then return, it doesn't happen very often."

Charges against Rapati include gross indecency, sexual assault and buggery. He is expected to make his next court appearance on Sept. 25.

Noot webmaster: Klik hier voor een video item.