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A man is in custody after allegedly breaking into five houses and attempting to rape three women in the Christchurch suburb of Upper Riccarton. .
He allegedly trespassed on properties, on three streets, near the Bush Inn Mall and the University of Canterbury, between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Thursday.
Joseph Johnson / Stuff
Police on a street in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch, after a man allegedly attacked women in their homes.
Detective Sergeant Major Colin Baillie said a 45-year-old man would appear in Christchurch District Court Thursday afternoon after five separate incidents in Upper Riccarton on Thursday morning.
The Christchurch man faces three counts of assault with intent to rape a woman over 16, five counts of robbery and one count of strangulation or suffocation.
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Joseph Johnson / Stuff
Police gather evidence after a series of home searches in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch.
The five women at the center of these incidents showed extreme courage and police are supporting them, Baillie said.
“Despite these traumatic events, thanks to the actions of these women, we were able to mobilize our personnel to the area quickly and locate the suspect.
“The police want to thank members of the public who have provided information.”
He said police would continue examining the scene at various Upper Riccarton properties Thursday.
Joseph Johnson / Stuff
Officers are speaking with residents of an Upper Riccarton street Thursday morning.
There was a large police presence on an Upper Riccarton street near the University of Canterbury on Thursday morning.
Detectives and front-line officers had been going door-to-door and searching the garbage containers.
Several properties are under police surveillance. The street is largely home to students.
Joseph Johnson / Stuff
A man was arrested after five houses were raided Thursday morning.
A student who lives near one of the guarded houses said he returned home this morning and found a heavy police presence on the street.
Anyone with information should contact Operation Linen’s investigation team by calling 105 and quoting file number 201029/8070.
Joseph Johnson / Stuff
Police are asking anyone with information to call the police and refer to Operation Linen.
