Police in a small community in the mountainous area of Sunnmøre are investigating what they believe are related sexual assaults on two elderly women this summer. The latest, an attempted rape, occured over the weekend inside the retirement home where the victim lived.
The assault carried out by an intruder at the Vågstunet elderly residential complex in Sula township in the middle of the night on Saturday has frightened other residents and prompted what police call a major investigation. It followed the rape of an 80-year-old woman in the same community during the night of July 15-16.
“We are taking this case seriously and are putting all the resources we can into the investigation,” police inspector Elin Drønnen told newspaper Aftenposten.
The area is popular with hikers, with a trail running past the senior citizens’ residences. Traffic on the trail makes it harder for police to determine whether the assailant is local or a tourist.
Town officials gathered Sunday night with Sula Mayor Geir Ove Vegsund, who said the latest assault came as a “shock.” He said it created an “insecure situation” and that all residents of the small town were being urged to keep doors and windows locked. Police were also calling for tips from the public.
newsinenglish.no staff
