After more than 10 years of investigation, police have new information regarding the man responsible for a series of rapes in Columbus.
A rapist has been terrorizing the neighborhood of Linden and the surrounding area since December 1991. New DNA evidence has been discovered that connects the rapes in the Linden area to a Pomona, Calif. rape on Feb. 25, 1995. The last Linden-area rape occurred June 22, 2002.
“The DNA technology is advancing, and with it obviously law enforcement agencies are advancing,” said Sgt. Jeffery Sacksteder of the Columbus Division of Police.
“We have some connections that we did not have earlier because of the technology. We have a better profile of the suspect now,” he said.
Pomona police almost apprehended the rapist following a 911 call by the victim, but he jumped out a second-floor window of the victim’s apartment. The suspect cut himself on the glass and has some noticeable scars as a result, said James C. Jackson, chief of Columbus police.
“There are three things that we would like to emphasize in this case: the composite, the California connection and the scars,” Jackson said.
Columbus police held a town meeting at the Linden recreation center last night in order to alert residents of their new findings. Linden residents have been upset recently, as they thought police were giving more attention to a series of rapes in the Ohio State area.
A PowerPoint presentation was made by members of the Columbus Division of Police Sexual Abuse Squad at the meeting detailing the progress of the investigation, said Sherry Mercurio, spokeswoman of the Columbus Division of Police.
Composite sketches and details on the suspect’s behavior were handed out at the meeting in order to give residents a better description of the suspect.
“The suspect is soft-spoken with a deep voice. He has been described as having an unidentifiable body odor on occasion and smokes cigarettes,” said John Weeks, of the Columbus Sexual Abuse Squad. “He usually threatens with a knife taken from the victim’s kitchen.”
The perpetrator has also been known to use a firearm as well when attacking his victims, Weeks said.
The Pomona Police Department also held a meeting last night to alert its residents.
Police hope residents will be able to provide them with new insight into the case.
“We are hoping that if information cannot be found here in Columbus, then perhaps it can be found in California,” Jackson said.
The Columbus police felt the meeting was urgent, so recorded phone messages were sent to all Linden residents using the city’s reverse 911 system. This is the first time the system has been used.
“At this point we do not know exactly where the suspect is. He could be in California or he could be in Linden. We just don’t know,” Sacksteder said.
Police suspect the rapist is comfortable with the Linden area and if he is in Columbus, then he is probably in Linden. He is also most likely staying with relatives or friends, Jackson said.
A hotline has been set up by the police department, and anyone with information pertaining to this case is encouraged to call 1-866-203-7957.
Crime Stoppers of central Ohio is offering $1,000 to $5,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the rapist.
