Swampscott Police Arrest Assault Suspect

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – After five assaults in Lynn and Swampscott, a suspect has been arrested. Police arrested Mounir Rhoulam, 39, of Swampscott on Monday after a Swampscott officer saw him on Columbia Street near the train station.

According to a statement from Swampscott Police, Officer Rick Alex noticed the man was wearing a black and orange mask covering his face, and a black and white checkered jacket in the area where several women had been assaulted. During the assaults over the past month, the suspect was wearing a hooded jacket or sweatshirt and bandanas over his face.

Related: Swampscott Assaults Appear To Be Linked

When Alex attempted to speak with the man, he fled onto the train tracks heading toward Lynn. After a foot chase and with assistance from Sgt. Jay Locke, Officer Kevin Reen, and Lynn Police, Rhoulam was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, trespassing, and resisting arrest. He was also found to be carrying a knife.

During the booking process, officers found Rhoulam is a registered sex offender on Superior Court probation. He's monitored by a GPS ankle bracelet, and Rhoulam's probation officer confirmed that he was in the area of all five of the recent assaults in Swampscott and Lynn.

Rhoulam is being held with additional charges to follow, according to Swampscott Police.

Image via Shutterstock