A 21-year-old North African man has been arrested in the Lombardy town of Busto Arsizio after allegedly luring a 14-year-old girl via Instagram and violently assaulting her in an abandoned building near the city’s railway station.
The girl, of Peruvian origin, had reportedly been in contact with the man online and agreed to meet in person on Monday evening — this being their second encounter.
As reported by Corriere Della Sera, the suspect led her to a secluded, run-down farmhouse in Via Vercelli, an area known to locals as a hideout for drug addicts. Once there, police say he beat her, forced her to drink alcohol, and raped her.
Local residents heard the girl’s screams and called emergency services. A nearby local police patrol responded quickly, but the suspect reportedly resisted arrest violently — requiring reinforcements and multiple officers to subdue him. Witnesses say the girl was found in shock, curled up near a wall, visibly injured, and emotionally distressed.
“She wasn’t speaking, just sobbing,” said local resident Vincenzo Zingarelli, 54. “If I had seen him earlier, I would have tried to stop him myself.”
Authorities report that the girl has been hospitalized with serious injuries and faces a two-month recovery period. Police are now investigating whether there may be other victims who have not yet come forward.
The suspect is believed to be homeless and has been moving throughout the Lombardy region by train for some time. His immigration status and further details on when and how he entered Italy are unknown.
He has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, resisting arrest, and injuring a public official. He has been placed in pre-trial detention.
Despite the seriousness of the case, law enforcement has so far provided limited public comment, citing the sensitive nature of the investigation and the need to protect the identity of the victim.
The Busto Arsizio Public Prosecutor’s Office is leading the inquiry.