Tacoma man charged in rape, kidnapping

Pierce County prosecutors say Younes Kerrou abducted and raped a woman after sharing a cigarette with her outside a Tacoma restaurant.

The 24-year-old was charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree rape. He was arraigned Friday, and Court Commissioner Meagan Foley set bail at $500,000.

Charging papers give this account:

Kerrou met the woman Sunday at a Sixth Avenue restaurant, and they went outside to smoke a cigarette. He told the woman his lighter was in his car, so they walked over to the car. He showed off the car’s stereo system, persuading the woman to sit in the back seat to hear it better.

The woman told police “she attempted to get out of the car, but the back doors were locked with child safety locks, and she was unable to exit,” according to charging papers.

Kerrou allegedly drove the woman to a residential neighborhood, where he sexually assaulted her.

The woman sought help from a security guard outside the restaurant after the attack and was taken to an area hospital.

Officers recognized Kerrou’s description and knew he’d been at the restaurant the night of the assault. He was arrested Thursday after the woman identified him in a photo lineup.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Tacoma man charged in rape, kidnapping."