Two more rapes occurred Wednesday in northern Columbus, bringing the total up to seven since Dec. 10.

Westerville police took a man into custody yesterday morning, after a woman claimed she was raped at a north-Columbus motel. Police found the man in a vehicle at the Northern Lights Shopping Center on Cleveland Avenue.

“We’re putting together a photo spread for the victim to look at as well as getting search warrants for the hotel room and vehicle in order to gather more evidence,” Westerville Police Lt. Jeff Jones said.

It has not yet been determined if these rapes are linked to the serial rapist who sexually assaulted five woman around the campus area between May and September. However, Columbus and Westerville police are investigating to see if the alleged rapes are associated with the previous sexual assaults.

The Columbus Division of Police divides north Columbus into four zones, and the perpetrator has hit two of those zones. The southern border of the rapist’s attack area is Lane Avenue.

“There is no pattern on where this guy will hit,” Sgt. Brent Mull of the Columbus police said.

The perpetrator is described as a black male between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet and weighing between 140 and 160 pounds.

Unlike the Ohio State rapist, this man attacks using a gun. The OSU rapist had threatened his victims with a knife.

Though there are some similarities between this perpetrator and the OSU rapist, it is unknown if they are the same man.

The perpetrator attacks through unlocked doors and windows between 6-7 a.m. and 9-11 p.m. It is unknown if he hits homes with women only.

Because he hits in very different locations each time, police have had some problems with increasing patrol.

“All I will say is that our tactics have changed to accommodate the current trend,” Mull said.

Mull emphasizes the fact that citizens must look out for one another.

Undergraduate Student Government is repeating some of the events of last quarter to educate students.

“People need to be reminded that off-campus is unsafe right now,” USG Off-Campus Committee Director Ben Ranz said.

Fliers are being handed out to inform the students of the situation.