A 57-year-old man from Helmond was arrested on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old girl in the municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel in 1994. The victim, who was deaf and visually impaired, was allegedly taken from a riding stable into a car and raped in a nearby forest.

Police reopened the cold case and had previously secured traces re-examined, resulting in a DNA match with the suspect. His DNA profile was already in the national database in connection with another offence. He remains in custody for 14 days after appearing before an examining magistrate, while the investigation continues.