VANCOUVER — A man notoriously known as the “Balaclava Rapist” has been released on day parole in the Vancouver area, following a 2013 curtailed release in Victoria.
It remains unknown exactly where Larry Takahashi, now 63, will reside.
However, he is subject to a list of conditions, which includes a nightly curfew.
Takahashi was given the nickname after he was arrested for a rash of sexual assaults on women in the late 1970s and early 1980s in Edmonton.
During the attacks, Takahashi wore a ski mask to conceal his identity while breaking into women’s apartments during the night. A fingerprint discovered on an unscrewed light bulb at one attack scene eventually led to his arrest.
The serial rapist has admitted attacking up to 30 women — though investigators have said the number could be much higher — and in 1983, was charged with 70 sex offences against 23 victims.
Takahashi pleaded guilty to 14 charges, including three counts of rape, six counts of disguise with intent, two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count each of forcible confinement and sexual assault with a weapon.
According to parole documents obtained by Global News and shared with the Vancouver Sun, Takahashi’s tendencies began with peeking into women’s residences and masturbating while outside.
Things escalated and Takahashi began breaking into homes and was found to have used sharp objects and weapons to threaten his victims.
In one instance, he threatened the child of a victim during the attack and in another, sexually assaulted a woman while her family slept in the next room.
He was sentenced to three concurrent life terms plus 73 years. Takahashi became eligible for full parole in 1991 and was granted escorted day passes in 1997.
In 2005, Takahashi’s day parole was revoked after it was found that he had met with a convicted sex offender in Vancouver several times.
In 2013, Takahashi was released in Victoria for a 60-day parole period to participate in a substance-abuse program.
Takahashi was sent back to prison early after violating his conditions by signing up for a massage from a student through a halfway house outreach program.
At the time, Victoria police had released a public warning, notifying area residents that Takahashi would be living in the city.
For his latest parole, Takahashi is under strict conditions not to consume alcohol or drugs, and not to purchase or possess any type of pornography or electronic device that allows Internet access.
He must also follow a treatment plan, avoid contact with any victims and college or university areas, or pick up any female passengers while driving.
Takahashi has a night curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and must report all sexual and non-sexual relationships with women to a parole supervisor.
