A 44-year-old man accused of brutally raping a young woman after posing as a taxi driver is now in custody, while Prague police continue investigating whether other women may have been targeted in similar attacks.

According to investigators, the suspect operated around Prague using a blue-gray Škoda Superb and allegedly approached women late at night by offering them rides home.

Detectives now believe the case may extend beyond a single victim and are asking anyone with information to contact police.

The assault under investigation took place during the night of April 26 in central Prague. Two women, both 21 years old, reportedly accepted a ride from the driver after a night out in the city.

Police spokeswoman Eva Kropáčová said the driver first took one of the women to her home. During the journey, investigators say he began touching the second woman, who was seated in the front passenger seat, against her will. She repeatedly tried to stop him, but he allegedly ignored her objections.

After the first passenger left the vehicle, the second woman also attempted to get out and walk away. Detectives say the driver chased after her, shouted at her, and forced her back into the car before continuing to assault her during the drive.

Police say the man later stopped near the Cholupice cemetery on the southern outskirts of Prague, where he allegedly raped the woman inside the vehicle while threatening to kill her. Fearing for her life, the victim reportedly offered little resistance.

After the attack, the suspect drove the woman to her home and left the scene. Despite suffering both physical and psychological trauma, she later contacted police and reported the assault. At the time, she did not know the driver’s identity or remember the car’s license plate number.

Criminal investigators eventually identified the suspect and summoned him for questioning. He denied any involvement and claimed he had been at home asleep at the time of the incident.

During a subsequent search of the suspect’s vehicle, police say the man attempted to interfere with the operation and tried to drive away. Evidence later discovered inside the vehicle supported the victim’s testimony.

The investigation also uncovered an earlier complaint linked to the same driver. In February, another young woman reportedly told police that a contract driver matching the suspect’s description verbally abused her during a ride, shouted obscenities, and acted aggressively. She managed to leave the vehicle before the situation escalated further.

The suspect has since been formally charged with rape and placed in pre-trial detention. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison under Czech law.

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