The public prosecutor’s office had filed a new lawsuit and issued an arrest warrant against a convicted paedophile just three days before he snatched a girl on her way to school and abused her.
Outraged parents in Edenkoben, Germany, had warned each other about the predatory behaviour of Arthur Krahl many times after his release from prison before he attacked the 10-year-old child on Monday, 11th September.
Now the Frankenthal Public Prosecutor’s Office revealed they had requested an electronic tag to monitor the convict’s movement after a threat assessment following his last prison release found him dangerous.
When he refused to wear it and the police confirmed he had committed three ‘criminal acts’ after his release from jail, the public prosecutor filed a lawsuit and issued a new arrest warrant against him on Friday, 8th September.
But both files came on the Neustadt district court’s agenda too late as he bundled the girl into his Audi A4 just metres from her school gates in Neustadt, Rhineland-Palatinate State, Germany, three days later.
When cops tracked him down later during the day he set off on a high-speed chase down the A65 motorway with the already abused child in the back seat.
Krahl was finally stopped and arrested off the autobahn after he caused three different road crashes as he desperately tried to avoid being caught.
Housewife and mum of three Kerstin Kubik from Edenkoben revealed that the whole community is infuriated that the police failed to listen to their warnings.
The 43-year-old woman said they were told to “stop spreading rumours” and take down his pictures from social media sites, which they shared after he was seen lurking around schools, kindergartens, and playgrounds.
She added: “It was known beforehand and nothing happened. Only we, parents, were told not to spread fake news.
“The safety of the children was not guaranteed. My 11-year-old son also rode his bike or walked to school with friends.”
Police said at the time: “We ask you not to take part in this. In particular, by sharing images, you can make yourself liable to prosecution.
“All necessary measures to ward off potential dangers have been taken. With our operational concept, we are prepared for conceivable scenarios.”
An ex-neighbour of Krahl’s said: “We always warned everyone about him, but the police kept letting him go. Even when he once told the judge at a hearing that his next victim could no longer identify him. He openly threatened murder!”
Krahl had previously been jailed for sexually abusing five children and possessing child porn.
One parent who chose to remain anonymous added: “We always kept an eye on this guy to protect our children. Because no matter what he did, he always came out. We felt defenceless against him.”
Housewife and mother Miriam Tonarelli, 40, said: “This should never have happened. In my childhood, you could still run around freely. Today I have to be afraid to send my child to school.”
And dad of three and forklift driver Sezgin Fidan, 46, who claimed other parents had sent him photos of the repeat offender on WhatsApp, continued: “He should have been locked away beforehand!”
Meanwhile, Edenkoben mayor Ludwig Lintz thanked the parents and said in a statement: “The city of Edenkoben thinks what happened is very bad.
“The state must do everything in its power to prevent this from happening in the future. Legal regulations that restrict preventative measures should be reviewed. The protection of the child is a top priority.
“Fortunately, there are courageous people who pay attention to their surroundings and thus prevent something worse from happening.”
Meanwhile, school authorities claimed they were not aware the offender had regularly stayed near the school.
They said the students have been receiving psychological support since the crime occurred.
Media did not disclose any details regarding the 10-year-old girl, after she was freed from Krahl’s vehicle.