Cops issue CCTV of man after woman ‘raped outside shopping centre’ before second victim injured in horror attack
COPS have arrested a man on suspicion of raping a woman near a shopping centre - the same night as another woman was attacked nearby.
The alleged rape took place by the One Stop Shopping Centre in Perry Barr, Birmingham, in the early hours of Saturday.
Another woman then suffered facial injuries after she was attacked in a nearby street, cops say.
West Midlands Police said it was keeping an open mind as to whether the two incidents are linked.
They shared CCTV grabs of a man with a beard in a dark hoodie.
Detective Superintendent Adam Jobson, from the force's Public Protection Unit, said: "If you recognise this person or if you were in the area between 1am and 2am and remember seeing him, please get in touch."
Police arrested a 22-year-old man at an address in the Birmingham area on suspicion of rape on Monday.
Cops were called to Walsall Road near to One Stop Shopping Centre at around 1.50am following reports a woman had been raped.
A short time later, we received a separate report that another woman had been assaulted on Aldridge Road near to Holford Drive.
Detective Supt Jobson added: "I want to thank members of the public who have already come forward with information and continue to appeal to anyone who was in and around Walsall Road and Aldridge Road between 1am and 2am in particular anyone who might have dash-cam footage.
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"I understand the concern and worry of the local community and I want to reassure you that my team are working around the clock to find this person.
"You will see more officers in the area again today and into this evening to provide reassurance. If you have any concerns please come and talk to us."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via live chat or by calling 101 quoting log 218 and 520 of 18/1.
