Denver – Law enforcement officers from Denver, Aurora and Arapahoe County today revealed details of an investigation into a serial rape suspect, involved in at least six attacks since last November.
The man is described as a black male in his thirties, with a muscular build, between 172 and 200 pounds, standing between 6′ and 6’3″ tall. The suspect is bald and has a scar or mark on his nose. He may be wearing glasses or may have changed his appearance. He may be driving an older blue compact car.
The man has been linked by DNA and police work to all six of the assaults, but the suspect may have been involved in as many as 12 incidents.
Police released a composite sketch from one of the assaults, but have not yet been able to determine the name of the suspect.
This morning at Denver Police headquarters, Chief Gerry Whitman, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson, acting Aurora Police Chief Terry Jones and others described the cases.
Five of the incidents occurred between November 10th and January 11th, according to Whitman.
Then, after a six-month break, a new assault took place on July 8th.
Jones detailed the first two incidents.
He said the first assault took place on the 1300 block of S. Havana at 5:15 p.m., when a 16-year-old female was forced into her vehicle and sexually assaulted.
Six days later, at 7:15 p.m., in the 14200 block of E. Alameda near the Aurora Mall, a 24-year-old woman was also forced into her own car and assaulted.
DNA analysis from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation linked the first two assaults, and the composite sketch was made.
Robinson said the victim assaulted in Arapahoe County was followed into her apartment and sexually assaulted. He said the suspect is considered dangerous, and outlined precautions for the public, including awareness of one’s surroundings and running errands with others.
“There’s safety in numbers,” said Robinson. “Having a cellphone available creates another layer of safety.”
He said, if confronted by someone intent on assault, people should make a lot of noise and try to get to places where other people can help, such as a 7-11, a police station or a fire department.
Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has already filed charges against the suspect, as a “John Doe,” in two cases. The charges include kidnapping, sexual assault, burglary, and aggravated robbery. Morrissey said, to his knowledge, this is only the second time in Denver history that charges charges have been filed against a suspect who has not been identified.
A $2,000 award is available through Crimestoppers for information leading to the identification or arrest of the suspect.
