convicted Rapist Mike L. Apprehended in Berlin After Week-Long Manhunt
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A convicted rapist, Mike L., who absconded from a German prison last weekend, has been arrested in Berlin. Security sources confirmed the apprehension to the Tagesspiegel, with investigators locating the 38-year-old sleeping in a colony of arbors in the Tempelhof district at 9:03 a.m. on Monday.
The arrest follows a harrowing week during which L. allegedly attacked his former girlfriend with a knife on Sunday morning.According to police and public prosecutors, the victim encountered L. on a bus while commuting to work, where he allegedly confronted and assaulted her. The woman,who sustained serious injuries,sought medical attention at a local hospital and was discharged a few days later.
Escape and Assault Triggered Urgent Manhunt
L. failed to return to the Tegel prison after being granted an unaccompanied exit last weekend, prompting an immediate search. The subsequent attack on his ex-girlfriend escalated the situation, leading the Tiergarten district court to issue an arrest warrant, which was executed by a judge on Monday afternoon, a spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office confirmed.
The timing of L.’s escape is particularly concerning, as he was nearing the end of his sentence. A spokeswoman for the justice administration stated, “The prisoner was due for release in a few weeks.” Sources within the tagesspiegel indicated he was expected to be released in approximately one month, just days before Christmas.
History of Violence and Prior Incarceration
L. has been in custody since April 2020, initially in pre-trial detention and later in criminal custody. He was transferred to a social therapy ward in January 2023 and granted five accompanied outings beginning in November 2023, none of which resulted in prior incidents.
However, L.’s criminal history reveals a pattern of violent behavior. In 2021, he received a four-year and nine-month prison sentence for aggravated rape, along with convictions for possession of a weapon, coercion, and bodily harm, as reported by Bild. He also received an additional two-year sentence for an arson attack.
The initial 2020 rape case involved a situation where L., a store manager, allegedly became infatuated with a 23-year-old employee. The relationship was reportedly marked by violence and jealousy, culminating in the employee obtaining a no-contact order after she moved out. According to reports, the Sunday attack marked the first instance of L. physically assaulting his former partner.
The arrest of Mike L. brings a swift end to a tense week in Berlin, but raises questions about the risk assessment processes surrounding prisoner release and the safety of potential victims.
Why did this happen? Mike L. escaped from Tegel prison while on an unaccompanied exit, nearing the end of his sentence for aggravated rape and other offenses.He then attacked his former girlfriend, triggering a manhunt.
who was involved? Mike L.,the convicted rapist,his former girlfriend (the victim of the recent assault),the Berlin police,and the German justice system.
What occurred? L. escaped prison, assaulted his ex-girlfriend, and was afterward apprehended after a week-long search.
How did it end? L. was located sleeping in Tempelhof, Berlin, and a judge executed an arrest warrant on Monday afternoon. He is now back in custody, facing
