On 18/7, Son La provincial police announced the arrest of 42-year-old Thieu, from Nghe An province, on suspicion of raping a minor under 16.
According to police, Thieu is unemployed and has a history of opportunistic theft. He has been arrested and convicted six times for theft in Dak Lak, Ha Tinh, Ha Giang, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City.
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Le Van Thieu at the time of his arrest. Photo: Police Department |
Le Van Thieu at the time of his arrest. Photo: Police Department
In early July, Thieu traveled by motorbike from his home in Nghe An province through Thanh Hoa, Hanoi, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, and Dien Bien provinces, arriving in Son La province for the first time on the evening of 7/7.
On the afternoon of 8/7, Thieu circled Son La city, then went to Mai Son commune and entered a house with an open gate. Inside, he found two girls, aged 9 and 5, alone. He pretended to be a medical practitioner and offered to examine the 9-year-old's genitals, then sexually assaulted her.
After the assault, Thieu fled by motorbike towards Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, returning to his home in Nghe An. Son La police arrested him in the early hours of 16/7.