A man was brutally killed, a woman raped, the alleged perpetrator had been on the run for weeks – the Kalletal case kept investigators and the population in suspense for a long time. A suspect has now been arrested.

Brieskow-Finkenheerd/Kalletal (dpa/lnw) – After almost five weeks on the run, the alleged ax murderer was caught by Kalletal (Lippe district). The 36-year-old was arrested in Brieskow-Finkenheerd, Brandenburg, near the Polish border, police and prosecutors said on Friday. He is said to have killed a 39-year-old in bed with an ax on June 18. Then he is said to have raped his ex-girlfriend, who had an affair with the victim and was lying in bed next to him, in another room.

Special forces from the Brandenburg police arrested him late Thursday evening, it said. There was also a close exchange with Polish law enforcement agencies. In the suspected case that the man flees to the neighboring country, they would have been ready to access the police and public prosecutor’s office.

In the course of Friday he should be brought to Detmold and presented to a magistrate there. They will announce the existing arrest warrant for murder, the message said.