Taxi Rapist Apprehended
Hiroko Ramon Lay Castillo, age 38, was arrested on Friday in Juan Diaz, accused of attacking five women and one minor.
According to the National Police, Lay drove a yellow car, posing as a taxi driver while making the rounds of Panama City’s universities to pick up female fares.
He would then drive his fares to isolated areas and threaten them at gun or knife point so as to rob and violate them sexually. Other evidence seems to indicate that Lay recorded his crimes to intimidate his victims into thinking he would load the film and photos onto social networks.
According to Marcelino Aguilar, prosecutor for the First Circuit, taxi passengers can also look out for an accomplice hiding in the trunk or posing as a fellow passenger since cabs often double up on fares.
