A 31-year-old South American man has been arrested for allegedly raping an 18-year-old hitchhiker he picked up in Benalmádena on February 15th.

The victim told the police that she and a friend were picked up by the suspect near Plaza Solymar in Benalmádena Costa. They had told the man that they were heading to Fuengirola, which was also the destination of the driver. He apparently dropped off one of the young women and then set off towards the street the other woman had indicated. However, according to the victim's statement, he turned the car round and set off towards Malaga. He is then said to have stopped on the hard shoulder, tied the girl up, blindfolded her and tried to assault her. He allegedly hit her when she fought back, and then took her to a car park in Arroyo de la Miel where he raped her.

After assaulting her he headed back to Fuengirola where she escaped and flagged down a police patrol car on the seafront. The police took her to the Las Lagunas health centre to be examined.

The suspect's car was located and the 31-year-old alleged attacker was arrested.