TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma man is charged with abducting and raping a woman outside a popular Tacoma restaurant. And police said they’re worried he’s done it before.
According to the charges Younes Kerrou, 24, followed a woman out of the restaurant on July 19, lured her to his car, before kidnapping and raping her.
Police say Kerrou offered to light the woman's cigarette but told her he needed to get a lighter from his car. When she followed him investigators say he convinced her to see the sound system in the car.
Investigators say she got into the backseat then Kerrou started the car and drove away with the woman inside.
“She was trying to get out of the car but the car had the internal child locks on, so she couldn’t get out,” said Tacoma police spokeswoman Officer Loretta Cool.
Police say Kerrou drove a short distance into a residential area then raped the 21-year-old soldier's wife. She managed to get away and make it back to the restaurant where she reported what had happened to a police officer working security.
Investigators say the boldness and careful planning of the kidnapping could mean Kerrou has done this before.
“There could very well be more people who haven’t reported it yet,” said Cool.
Kerrou pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and rape in Pierce County Superior Court Friday. His bail was set at $500,000.