Indian Police Arrest 3 in Alleged Gang Rape of American Tourist

Hitchhiking leads to assault

Indian police said they arrested three men Thursday in connection with the alleged gang rape of an American tourist this week in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

The 30-year-old American reportedly was unable to find a taxi on her way back to Manali, a vacation destination in the Himalayan foothills, about 1 a.m. and decided to hitchhike back to her hotel. The woman told police that a truck driver and two accomplices drove her to a secluded spot, raped her for over an hour, then stole her cellphone, camera and cash before leaving her by the side of the road.

Himachal Pradesh police said in a statement that three men, all Nepalis, were arrested Thursday morning after the woman gave a description of the alleged assailants and their truck, a type known as a mini tipper resembling a compact dump truck, commonly used to carry construction materials.