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Police say a 19-year-old man arrested over drugs charges is not a prime suspect in their hunt for a serial rapist in Hamilton but investigators will look into his movements in order to officially rule him out.
The 19-year-old Hamilton man was due to appear in Hamilton District Court today. He was arrested last week after he was confronted by bar staff who had been approached by concerned patrons.
The man was allegedly found to be in possession of a dentistry anaesthetic and was charged with theft and attempting to sell a prescription medicine.
He claimed he had no idea what the item was and the effects of the drug on people.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page told media today that additional police sent to Hamilton to work on the investigation would stay for at least three weeks or until the serial rapist was caught.
Mr Page said while the 19-year-old man's name had not been on the list of suspects, police were investigating his movements during the times rapes took place.
When asked by NZPA if DNA samples would be taken from the man and any other suspects, Mr Page said police would carry out a thorough investigation with everyone they spoke to.
Police believe the offender has raped at least three women in the city since April and police believe he may strike again, but hope media attention may prevent any further attacks.
The three known rapes occurred on April 1, May 20 and July 1.
Mr Page said there was one other report of an attempt by a man to lure a woman into his vehicle, on the evening of April 1 before the first known rape.
"There may well be others which haven't been reported to us."
Mr Page said on each occasion when the rapes took place a woman walking alone in the city centre accepted a lift from a man driving a light-silver coloured car and was driven a short distance away, then raped.
"We don't sit here saying we've got a serial rapist unless we're confident [that there is one]."
Mr Page said women needed to adopt a commonsense approach to their safety and not accept lifts from strangers.
"He has targeted women who are alone, he has been unassuming in his nature, these victims have felt not at risk and not threatened and (he) gained their confidence, and then has taken them away somewhere to conduct his attacks."
The investigation team were working their way through a list of more than 100 names, provided by the public, of men resembling an indentikit picture of the rapist.
Mr Page said police were keeping an open mind as to who the man was .
The investigation, codenamed Operation Phil, has been boosted by the addition of 13 investigators from around the country bringing the total to 25.
Mr Page said it had been "very, very difficult" for the victims to cope with their ordeal and the attention in the media.
- NZPA
